It is difficult to notice the signs of lumbar osteochondrosis immediately.Symptoms appear slowly, the diagnosis is made already in the phase of worsening of the disease.It is important to distinguish the collapse of the spine from other diseases so that you can see a doctor in time. The main signs of osteochondrosis of the spine in the lumbar spine:
- Hospital. Initially, it manifests only when lifting weights, but then it becomes constant. It can no longer be linked to any procedure. At the moment of worsening, the pain is unbearable, it needs immediate removal.
- Impaired leg sensitivity. This occurs as a result of injury to the nerve endings. At the very beginning, there are characteristic tingling, tingling, the appearance of "geese" under the cross. If the disease progresses, then the extinction of tendon reflexes and muscle weakness will begin to be observed in the lower extremities.
- Excessive sweating.
- Restriction of movement that occurs due to nerve contraction. When turning, leaning, changing posture, attacks of pain similar to electric shocks will occur.
- Coldness of limbs, skin, blanching.
- In severe cases, there is sexual dysfunction, problems with urination.
Without timely treatment, lumbar osteochondrosis can lead to paralysis and disability.
Worsening of the disease
With relative periods of remission, deterioration occurs. They are characterized by shooting, a sharp pain that surrounds and travels down the sciatic nerve. As a result of the development of the disease, numbness reaches the toes. Such attacks disrupt the functioning of the organs and systems of the small pelvis. As a result, erectile dysfunction, constipation and urinary incontinence are observed.
Characteristics of the manifestation of lumbar osteochondrosis in women
Pelvic pain with lumbar osteochondrosis negatively affects the reproductive system of the female body.As the disease progresses, the menstrual cycle is disrupted and its dependence on osteochondrosis attacks can be noticed.During pregnancy, osteochondrosis can cause premature birth or miscarriage.
Treatment of osteochondrosis: main directions
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine requires various therapies. Only with an integrated approach can you achieve a positive result. The use of medication will only alleviate the pain syndrome, it will not affect the cause of the disease. To get rid of the disease, you need to apply acupuncture, hirudotherapy, therapeutic massage, suction action, and also change your usual lifestyle. The treatment plan should be prescribed by specialists taking into account the stage of osteochondrosis, individual tolerance to drugs and the presence of chronic pathologies.
Treatment regimens during the acute phase and during remission differ significantly. In case of worsening, you must first relieve the stress of the spine. For that, the patient must lie down. It is better to use an orthopedic mattress with rollers for the neck and lower back. It is necessary to take muscle relaxants that help relax and alleviate cramps. Injections of lidocaine and novocaine are used to reduce the consequences of nerve endings.
The remission period assumes the following treatment regimen:
- taking vitamin B complexes to normalize the conduction of nerve impulses;
- restoration of blood circulation in tissues due to vasodilator drugs;
- on physical therapy to reduce the number of exacerbations. Special baths, various types of massages, magnetic therapy, acupuncture are prescribed;
- physiotherapy exercises, which allow you to form a muscular corset, restore mobility in the lumbar part and reduce the load on the vertebrae. The exercises are selected by the trainer individually, taking into account the characteristics of the body.
Drugs for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
Drugs are divided into forms and methods of exposure:
- anesthetic creams, gels for external use;
- antispasmodics (affect the nerves that lead to muscle fibers, have a relaxing effect, help reduce cramps, improve blood flow);
- hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are used for severe, debilitating pain. Hormones suppress inflammation, relieve pain, but suppress immunity, leach calcium from the bones and reduce the synthesis of their hormones.
- chondroprotectors for cartilage regeneration. They slow down the destruction of cartilage, activate the synthesis of intra-articular fluid, alleviate inflammation, and stimulate the formation of new cartilage cells;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Medications reduce pain, relieve inflammation. You need to take them for a long time. They only eliminate the symptoms and do not affect the cause of the pathology. It negatively affects the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, causing gastritis and ulcers.
- B vitamins
In addition, in the case of osteochondrosis, sedatives are prescribed to regulate the nervous system.
Exercise for lumbar osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy should be performed regularly, only under this condition the effect of exercise will be achieved.Physical activity should become the norm for people with osteochondrosis of the spine.Not only a set of special exercises, but also walking has a positive effect on the spine.
There are certain restrictions that must be respected to reduce the risk of lower back injuries during gymnastics. For example, load exercises cannot be performed. This will lead to additional stress on the vertebrae that are in a destroyed state. Twisting in the lumbar region is also not recommended. This is especially true for patients with protrusions and hernias.
Physiotherapy should not be performed if the patient, in addition to lumbar osteochondrosis, has injuries, tumors of various origins, hematomas. Spinal diseases are not recommended for active sports.
Dietary food as a treatment
A well-designed menu will help maintain health and strengthen physical strength. The diet should include:
- cabbage of all kinds;
- beef liver;
- green peas;
- sea fish;
- berries;
- eggs;
- carrots;
- dried fruit.
Limit salt, pickles, pickles, spices, alcoholic beverages, strong coffee and tea.
Possibility of surgical intervention
Lumbar osteochondrosis surgery is prescribed only if serious complications develop, for example, an intervertebral hernia.The most common way to delete a damaged disk.Surgical intervention is considered a radical measure, resorted to when other methods do not give a positive result in six months. Modern medicine has high-tech methods of microsurgical and endoscopic treatment, which are less traumatic.