Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine symptoms and treatment

signs and symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis

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 "lumbago" should be known to everyone.

Diagnosis of lumbar spine osteochondrosis

The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is made 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 spine's surface.

Radiology is mandatory for a person. This technique is the main way to diagnose the disease. In the resulting image, the doctor is able to track the typical signs of inflammation - narrowing of the cracks between the vertebrae. In addition, an X-ray reveals subcronal sclerosis, a condition in which the surface of an individual vertebra is compacted, as well as osteophytes (bone growth).

Magnetic resonance imaging is also mandatory. It is the magnetic resonance imaging that allows the diagnosis of pathological processes that occur in the spine with maximum precision.

Computed tomography can become an alternative to magnetic resonance imaging, replacing the procedure in case a person is physically unable to spend about 40 minutes in the confined space of the tomograph.

The blood test is additionally assigned. It is necessary to exclude rheumatological pathology. An analysis is performed if 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 withstand the stress placed on it. Pathological changes in the intracartilaginous tissue cause an increase in pressure in the fibrous annulus. Its protrusion occurs, accompanied by damage to the nerve roots. The result of the change is the 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:

  • Severe pain is the main symptom of degenerative changes in the spine, since a healthy person does not feel back pain;
  • increased pain - corrected after a long stay of a person in the same position;
  • sensation of acute pain - lumbago - in the lumbar region;
  • periodic tingling sensation in the legs.

In women, the condition can manifest with additional symptoms (they are caused by a violation of local blood circulation as a result of 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 shape of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.

In osteochondrosis, the thigh muscles ache and cannot walk - what to do

If during the osteochondrosis the thigh muscles hurt and cannot walk, how can the pain be relieved and what is the cause of the pain?

For this condition, the development of unpleasant sensations in the lower back is typical. At first, they only form after a great physical effort, but as the condition worsens, they become incessant, acquiring a painful character. Sometimes a person has a "lumbago" - a feeling of sharp pain.

Pain is relieved when walking and when the patient is in a horizontal position. But when a person sits, stands or coughs / sneezes, the pain only 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 alleviate the condition, agents of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory category may be prescribed.

Blocking is practiced for severe pain. But only a specialist can provide this type of pain relief. The doctor gives injections at specific points, which helps to completely relieve the pain. Individual intolerance to the medication 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 medicines. The resources are used in the complex.

Preparations in the muscle relaxant category 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 drug, one must take into account the existing contraindications. They are quite numerous.

The next group of products are drugs that improve blood circulation. The lack of oxygen by Organs internal organs as a result of the narrowing of the vessels' light can cause your hypoxia. To exclude the development of such a pathology, the patient is prescribed special medications.

Painkillers are becoming mandatory drugs. To relieve swelling and eliminate pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. They have no therapeutic effect, but act precisely symptomatically, relieving existing pain.

The attending physician must prescribe the medicine and select the dosage. It is highly discouraged to increase the dose of the medication on your own, as this can have a very negative effect on general well-being.

The next category of prescription drugs is sedatives. The main symptom of osteochondrosis is severe pain, which negatively affects the patient's mental state.

Exceeding the permitted dosages prescribed by a specialist is unacceptable.

Lumbar osteochondrosis: home treatment

The home treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine has as its main objective the relief of pain. Doctors allow the use of painkillers.

It should be noted that treatment can only be started after consulting your doctor. Selection of drugs and dosage must be done by a specialist.

Osteochondrosis - treatment with folk remedies

Treatment with folk remedies consists of the preparation of various rubs.

  • An ointment based on hops and butter gives a good result. The dry hop cones need to be ground to a powder and mixed with softened butter. The well rubbed mass must be applied to the inflammation area until it is completely absorbed.
  • A popular remedy is to rub the elderberry. For a glass of blackberries with medicinal alcohol, take four glasses of fresh berries. Before pouring alcohol, the elder must be rubbed. Insist on the remedy for two weeks, then drain and use the dye to scrub.

Now you know what osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is, the symptoms and treatment of the disease. If you experience pain typical of the illness, you should seek qualified medical help.