Man, unlike animals, moves on two legs with a straight back. In this regard, the main center of gravity is shifted in such a way that the greatest load goes to the lumbar spine. Other factors that increase the load are obesity, carrying heavy loads and flat feet. At the same time, the fibrous ring of the intervertebral discs becomes thinner over time, leading to the formation of protrusions and hernias. The vertebrae themselves acquire an irregular shape due to the formation of growths (osteophytes). It is this process that sooner or later leads to the development of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and diagnostic methods
To understand how to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar, it is necessary to find out all the causes of its occurrence and to establish the degree of damage to the surrounding tissues. Diagnosis of the disease is based on examination, collection of anamnesis data on the clinical picture (manifestations and symptoms) and instrumental methods.
The clinical picture of lumbar osteochondrosis includes the following symptoms:
- the appearance of pain in the lumbar region, leg and buttock on the side of the lesion;
- sensory disturbances (anesthesia, paresthesia);
- decrease in motor activity of the lower extremities;
- involvement in the process of dysfunction of the pelvic organs (urinary incontinence, impotence).
Symptoms usually increase gradually as the pathological changes progress. Based on these manifestations, the doctor can only suspect lumbar osteochondrosis. It is possible to make a definitive diagnosis only after examination and carrying out several studies.
During the examination, a competent specialist will certainly check for the presence of a number of characteristic reflexes:
- Lages reflex, in which the doctor lifts the patient's straightened leg and the pain intensifies. After bending the limb in the knee joint, the pain disappears instantly.
- Bekhterev's reflex consists in the appearance of pain when pressing straightened knees on a flat surface.
Instrumental methods make it possible to obtain additional information about the state of the spinal cord and nerve tissue of the roots located in the immediate vicinity of the vertebral lesion. X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging are usually done, and sometimes CT scans.
Having established the fact of the presence of the disease, it is necessary to decide how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. To do this, there are a large number of possibilities, ranging from taking pills to surgery. In some cases, reflexology and massage help.
Medical treatment
Drug treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is aimed at eliminating its manifestations. To reduce pain intensity and reduce inflammation, use:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. By reducing inflammatory manifestations and blocking pain receptors, when taking these drugs, pain associated with nerve root irritation decreases. These drugs can be used in various dosage forms (injections, tablets, ointments and gels).
- Glucocorticosteroid hormones are used when painkillers are ineffective. Their action is stronger in reducing the swelling of nerve tissue, and therefore they reduce the irritating effect of bone growths on the roots. However, due to systemic effects and possible side effects, their long-term use is not recommended.
To protect the cartilage tissue from further destruction, drugs for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis necessarily include chondroprotectors. And, despite the fact that their effectiveness has not yet been proven, this group of drugs is widely used to treat this condition.
In order to reduce the manifestations of mental disorders (depression, neurosis), which often accompany this disease, sedative drugs are prescribed for lumbar osteochondrosis. They help the patient cope with pain. With a pronounced decrease in mood, antidepressants are used.
In addition, it is necessary to use vitamin preparations for lumbar osteochondrosis, as they help reduce the negative effect on the spinal cord and its roots. Usually, drugs of groups B and C are prescribed, since they are the ones that protect the nervous tissue the most.
Physiotherapy procedures
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine outside periods of exacerbation must be supplemented by effective physiotherapeutic gestures. Most often, various effects are used on the reflexogenic points responsible for blood supply and nutrition of the affected area. These areas can be influenced by:
- magnetic therapy;
- acupuncture;
- electroacupuncture;
- cauterization with cold or heat;
- application or administration of drugs (pharmacopuncture).
With pharmacopuncture, by injecting the solution directly into the affected area, it is possible to significantly reduce the concentration of the drug and thus eliminate most of the undesirable side effects. The use of these additional methods can increase the effectiveness of drug treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy or massage necessarily include the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis in the complex.
The doctor can set himself a certain number of tasks which differ according to the patient:
- relax tense back muscles with stroking and vibration;
- improve blood circulation in the lumbar region;
- strengthen the muscular framework through deep kneading;
- put the displaced vertebra back in its place.
An individual approach allows you to develop an optimal strategy and figure out how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis with maximum efficiency.
Physiotherapy
Sometimes it happens that the patient cannot see a doctor in the near future and begins to ask friends how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis. In this case, the safest thing is to use a gymnastic complex, which is specially designed to strengthen the lower back.
It should be remembered that during periods of exacerbation you can not perform any loads other than breathing and relaxation exercises. In the future, you can include other exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the press and back (push-ups, leg swings, etc. ). At the same time, it is important not to make sudden movements of large amplitude, since fragile vertebrae can simply move. In this regard, it is highly desirable to start classes with a doctor-instructor, and then continue at home alone.
ethnosciences
Folk remedies for lumbar osteochondrosis should be used in addition to the main treatment, but not instead of it. Due to the fact that any intervention can harm the patient, it is necessary to first coordinate all your actions and the use of alternative methods with your doctor.
Usually, various products of vegetable raw materials are used for this:
- To prepare a locally irritating ointment that will improve blood supply to the affected area, you will need five fruits of red pepper and 100 ml of kerosene and vegetable oil. After receiving the infusion, it is necessary to lubricate sore places at night. A dry wool compress is applied on top.
- Butter and hop cones are mixed in equal amounts. The resulting ointment is applied to the lumbar region as needed.
- An infusion of arnica, walnuts and a medicinal letter should be taken after each meal, one spoonful.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with folk remedies can be effective in the early stages of the process. Therefore, it is necessary to start treatment immediately after the onset of symptoms.
Surgical intervention
Surgical treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis is carried out quite rarely and only in the absence of significant effects of other methods within six months. Other indications for surgery include cauda equina syndrome crossing the spinal canal in this area and acute nerve root compression.
The most common type of surgery is the removal of a damaged disc (discectomy). During the operation, the doctor removes the interfering parts of the vertebrae and discs and, if possible, fixes the spine in the correct position.
This operation is considered the most productive method in this case, but at the same time it is prescribed only if other methods of treatment do not bring results within six months. In addition, the method of microsurgical and endoscopic treatment of the spine is widespread.
Since intervention in the structure of the spine can lead to very serious consequences (paresis, complete paralysis), treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis should be carried out only in a proven neurosurgical clinic.
How to treat exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis
Treatment of exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis, as a rule, drug. However, to eliminate severe symptoms, medical intervention is necessary. To eliminate sharp pain, you can perform the so-called blockade. To do this, use an anesthetic, which is injected with a special needle directly into the affected area.
In order to relax the spastic muscles of the back during an exacerbation of the disease, muscle relaxants are used. These drugs block neuromuscular conduction and help relax the muscles and remove the "blockage".
If the patient feels severe pain, then it is necessary to perform an injection of an anesthetic drug into a vein or muscle. Sometimes this is enough to relieve the condition.
Disease prevention
In order not to wonder how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis, the best option is to prevent this disease. Ground rules to help with this include:
- do not be in a forced position for more than half an hour, try to warm up and, if possible, change your position;
- do not lift heavy objects and, when training in the gym, coordinate all loads with the instructor;
- do not lie on a bed or in a hammock, it is better to sleep and rest on a hard bed to avoid deviation and displacement of the vertebrae;
- wear comfortable shoes with a small heel (less than 4 cm);
- avoid increasing your own weight;
- replace the bag with a backpack so that the load is evenly distributed;
- swimming in the pool or ponds to give the lumbar region a rest.
By following these simple recommendations, you may never think about how to get rid of lumbar osteochondrosis. If this disease still develops, then it will be necessary to consult a doctor in time. With the help of a complex therapeutic effect, in most cases it is possible to eliminate the symptoms of this pathology and continue to lead a normal life.