One of the conditions, accompanied by severe pain syndrome, is called osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of the disease, at least first aid for "low back pain", should be known to everyone.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is carried out in several stages. It begins with the collection of the patient's existing complaints and the subsequent study of the history of the disease.
The next step is to examine the patient. Sore spots are revealed by palpation on the surface of the spine.
Radiology is mandatory for one person. It is this technique that is the key way to diagnose the disease. In the resulting image, the doctor is able to trace the typical signs of inflammation - the narrowing of the cracks between the vertebrae. Additionally, an x-ray reveals subchronic sclerosis, a condition in which the surface of a single vertebra is compacted, as well as osteophytes (bony growths).
MRI examination is also mandatory. It is magnetic resonance that allows you to diagnose the pathological processes occurring in the spine with maximum accuracy.
Computed tomography can become an alternative to magnetic resonance imaging, replacing the procedure in case a person is physically unable to spend approximately 40 minutes in the confined space of the tomograph.
The blood test is also assigned. It is necessary to exclude rheumatological pathology. An analysis is performed in the event that a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of osteochondrosis has an increase in ESR.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Each vertebra contains a fibrous ring which helps the spine to bear the stress on it. Pathological changes in the intracartilaginous tissue cause an increase in pressure on the fibrous ring. Its protrusion occurs, accompanied by injury to the nerve roots. The result of the change is severe pain syndrome. This is how osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine manifests itself, the symptoms and treatment of which we are considering.
The signs of inflammation of the lumbar spine are:
- intense pain is the main symptom of degenerative changes in the spine, since a healthy person does not suffer from back pain;
- increased pain - resolved after a person's long stay in the same position;
- acute pain sensation - low back pain - in the lumbar region;
- periodic tingling sensation in the legs.
In women, the pathology can manifest itself with additional symptoms (they are caused by a violation of local blood circulation due to increased pressure):
- inflammation of the organs of the reproductive system - uterus and ovaries;
- infertility - develops in rare cases and is a complication of the advanced form of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
With osteochondrosis, the thigh muscles hurt and do not allow you to walk - what to do
If the thigh muscles hurt during osteochondrosis and do not allow you to walk, then how can the pain be relieved and what is the cause of the pain?
For this pathology, the development of unpleasant sensations in the lower back is typical. At first they are formed only after strong physical exertion, but as the condition worsens, they become incessant, acquiring a painful character. Sometimes a person has "low back pain" - a sharp painful sensation.
Pain is relieved by walking and when the patient is in a horizontal position. But when a person sits down, stands up, or coughs / sneezes, the pain intensifies. In this case, the pain can spread to the thigh muscles and significantly worsen the patient's quality of life.
Symptomatic medications are generally recommended to relieve the condition. They do not cure osteochondrosis, but only reduce the manifestations of pain.
To relieve the condition, agents from the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed.
The block is practiced for severe pain. But only a specialist can provide this kind of pain relief. The doctor gives injections at specific points, which helps to completely relieve the pain. An individual intolerance to the drug used becomes a contraindication.
Preparations for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
One of the most unpleasant diseases of the back is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of the disease involve the use of several groups of drugs. The funds are used in the complex.
Preparations from the category of muscle relaxants are designed to relax the muscle corset and relieve the formed spasm. In addition, they normalize local blood circulation, partially relieving pain.
When choosing a medicine, existing contraindications should be taken into account. They are quite numerous.
The next group of products are medicines that improve blood circulation. The lack of oxygen from the internal organs due to the narrowing of the lumen of the vessels can cause their hypoxia. To exclude the development of such a pathology, the patient is prescribed special drugs.
Painkillers are becoming mandatory drugs. To relieve swelling and eliminate pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. They do not have a therapeutic effect, but act precisely symptomatically, relieving existing pain.
The attending physician should prescribe the remedy and select the dosage. It is highly not recommended to increase the dose of the drug on your own, as this can have a very negative effect on general well-being.
The next category of prescription drugs are sedatives. The main symptom of osteochondrosis is severe pain, which negatively affects the patient's mental state.
Exceeding the permissible dosages prescribed by a specialist is unacceptable.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: home treatment
Home treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is primarily aimed at relieving pain. Doctors allow the use of analgesics.
It should be noted that treatment can only be started after consultation with the doctor. Drug selection and dosage should be managed by a specialist.
Osteochondrosis - treatment with folk remedies
Treatment with folk remedies consists in the preparation of various rubs.
- An ointment based on hops and butter gives a good result. Dry hop cones need to be ground into a powder and mixed with softened butter. The carefully massaged mass should be applied to the area of inflammation until completely absorbed.
- A folk remedy is elderberry rub. For a glass of medical alcohol berries, four glasses of fresh berries are taken. Before pouring them with alcohol, the elderberry must be rubbed. Insist on the remedy for two weeks, then drain and use the tincture to rub.
Now you know what osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is, the symptoms and treatment of the condition. If you experience pain typical of the disease, you should seek qualified medical help.