Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs (and subsequently the vertebral bodies, joints and ligaments) lose their ability to function normally.
The lumbar spine is very vulnerable to diseases such as osteochondrosis.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis are often quite difficult to identify, since the course of the disease has many forms.
Symptoms
At the beginning of the development, the symptoms are very mild: patients mainly complain of pain in the lumbar region, which is aggravated by movement and bending.
After 1-2 years from the beginning of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis, the pain may spread to the buttock or groin area.Stiffness of movements appears in the lumbar region.
Lumbar osteochondrosis develops slowly, but over time, periods of exacerbation occur more often and symptoms intensify, as more and more new vertebrae continue to be affected.
The most common variant of lumbar osteochondrosis is chronic lumbodynia.In this form, the following symptoms are observed:
- The appearance of symptoms occurs in periods, waves.
- Not very intense pain in the lumbar region, worse in the morning.
- Stiffness in the back.
- The pain subsides after 30 minutes, but even mild stress can trigger it again.
- There may be a sudden increase in pain, "lumbago", usually also due to physical exertion - acute lumbago.Symptoms of acute lumbago may appear for 1-2 weeks, after which they are replaced by symptoms of chronic lumbago.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
The same symptoms can be signs of different diseases, and the disease may not run according to the textbook.Do not try to treat yourself - consult a doctor.
During an exacerbation, a hospital stay of one week is indicated.The patient is advised to rest in bed;it is recommended to walk with the help of crutches, thereby relieving the lumbar region.
For the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, various spinal tractions and back massage are performed.
Drug therapy includes analgesics, sedatives, and vitamins.In some cases, a blockade with anesthetics is indicated.
Physiotherapy includes ultraviolet irradiation of the lower back, electrophoresis with novocaine and ultrasound therapy.
Therapeutic exercises for lumbar osteochondrosis are a mandatory part of treatment.It is designed to strengthen the back muscles.
Exercises include flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, and rotation.Exercises in the pool are most effective because the water reduces the load on the spine.
When the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis worsen, as well as when it is combined with spina bifida, therapeutic gymnastics consists of breathing exercises.
In home conditions, a good effect in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is provided by daily smearing of painful areas with iodine, as well as pepper and mustard plasters.
Traditional medicine for lumbar osteochondrosis includes warming compresses with birch leaves or black turnip juice.
Proper nutrition can significantly improve your condition.