One of the conditions, accompanied by a severe pain syndrome, is called osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, symptoms and treatment of the disease, at least first aid for "lumbago", 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. Pain points are revealed by palpation on the surface of the spine.
Radiology is mandatory for a person. It is this technique that is the key way to diagnose the disease. In the resulting picture, the doctor is able to track typical signs of inflammation - narrowing of the cracks between the vertebrae. In addition, an x-ray reveals subchronal sclerosis, a condition in which the surface of an individual vertebra is compacted, as well as osteophytes (bone growths).
MRI examination is also mandatory. It is magnetic resonance imaging that allows you to diagnose pathological processes occurring in the spine with maximum accuracy.
Computed tomography can become an alternative to MRI, replacing the procedure in the event that a person is physically unable to spend about 40 minutes in the confined space of the tomograph.
Blood test is additionally assigned. It is necessary to exclude rheumatological pathology. An analysis is carried out in the event that a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of osteochondrosis has an increased ESR.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Each vertebra contains a fibrous ring that helps the spine to withstand the stress placed on it. The pathological changes that have occurred in the intracartilaginous tissue cause an increase in pressure on the annulus fibrosus. 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.
Signs of inflammation of the lumbar spine are:
- severe pain is the main symptom of degenerative changes in the spine, since a healthy person does not experience back pain;
- increased soreness - is fixed after a long stay of a person in the same position;
- feeling of sharp pain - lumbago - in the lumbar region;
- periodic tingling sensation in the legs.
In women, pathology can manifest itself with additional symptoms (they are caused by a violation of local blood circulation as a result of increased pressure):
- inflammation of the reproductive system organs - uterus and ovaries;
- infertility - develops in rare cases and is a complication of the advanced format of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
With osteochondrosis, the muscles of the thigh hurt and do not allow walking - what to do
If during osteochondrosis the muscles of the thigh hurt and do not allow walking, then how can the soreness be alleviated 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 form only after strong physical exertion, but as the condition worsens, they become incessant, acquiring an aching character. Sometimes a person has a "lumbago" - a sharp painful sensation.
The pains are relieved when walking and when the patient is in a horizontal position. But when a person sits, stands, or coughs / sneezes, the soreness only intensifies. In this case, pain can spread to the muscles of the thigh 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 alleviate the condition, agents from the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed.
Blockade is practiced for severe pain. But only a specialist can deliver this type of pain relief. The doctor gives injections at specific points, which helps to completely relieve pain. An individual intolerance to the drug used becomes a contraindication.
Preparations for the treatment of low back osteochondrosis
One of the most unpleasant diseases of the back is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of the disease involves 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. Additionally, they normalize local blood circulation, partially relieving pain.
When choosing a medicine, one should take into account the existing contraindications. They are quite numerous.
The next group of products is medicines that improve blood circulation. The lack of oxygen by the internal organs as a result of 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 medications. To relieve puffiness 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 doctor should prescribe the remedy and select the dosage. It is highly discouraged to increase the dose of the agent on your own, as this can have a very negative effect on the general well-being.
The next category of drugs prescribed is sedatives. The main symptom of osteochondrosis is severe pain, which negatively affects the mental state of the patient.
Exceeding the permissible dosages prescribed by a specialist is unacceptable.
Low back osteochondrosis: treatment at home
Home treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is primarily aimed at relieving pain. Doctors allow the use of pain relievers.
It should be noted that treatment can be started only after consultation with your doctor. The selection of drugs and dosage should be handled by a specialist.
Osteochondrosis - treatment with folk remedies
Treatment with folk remedies consists in the preparation of various rubbing.
- An ointment based on hops and butter gives a good result. Dry hop cones need to be ground into powder and mixed with softened butter. Thoroughly rubbed mass must be applied to the area of inflammation until it is completely absorbed.
- A popular remedy is elderberry rubbing. 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 the remedy for two weeks, then drain and use the tincture for rubbing.
Now you know what osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is, symptoms and treatment of the condition. If you experience pain typical of the disease, you should seek qualified medical help.