Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine symptoms and treatment

signs and symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis

One of the conditions accompanied by a severe pain syndrome called lumbar spine osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of the disease, at least the first aid for "lumbago", should be known to all.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Diagnosis of lumbar spine osteochondrosis is performed in several stages. It begins with the collection of existing patient complaints and subsequent study of the medical history.

The next step is to examine the patient. Pain points are detected by touching the surface of the back.

Radiology is mandatory for a person. It is this technique that is the main way to diagnose the disease. In the resulting image, the doctor is able to trace the typical signs of inflammation - narrowing of the cracks between the vertebrae. In addition, an x-ray reveals subchronic sclerosis, a condition in which the surface of an individual vertebra is compressed, as well as osteophytes (bone growths).

MRI examination is also mandatory. It is the 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 case a person is not physically able to spend about 40 minutes in the closed space of the tomograph.

Blood test is also scheduled. It is necessary to exclude rheumatological pathology. An analysis is performed in case a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of osteochondrosis has an increased ESR.

Symptoms of lumbar spine osteochondrosis

Each vertebra contains a fibrous ring that helps the spine cope with the stress placed on it. Pathological changes that have occurred in intracartilaginous tissue cause an increase in pressure in the ring fibrosis. Its emergence occurs, accompanied by damage to the nerve roots. The result of the change is severe pain syndrome. Thus manifests osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which we are examining.

Signs of lumbar spine inflammation are:

  • severe pain is the main symptom of degenerative changes in the back, as a healthy person does not experience back pain;
  • increased pain - 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 foot.

In women, the pathology may present 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 form of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region.

With osteochondrosis, the thigh muscles ache and do not allow walking - what to do

If during osteochondrosis the thigh muscles hurt and do not allow walking, then how can the soreness be relieved and what is the cause of the pain?

For this pathology, the development of discomfort in the lower back is typical. At first, they form only after a strong physical exertion, but as the condition worsens, they become uninterrupted, taking on a painful character. Sometimes a person has a "lumbago" - a sharp painful sensation.

Pain is relieved when you walk and when the patient is in a horizontal position. But when a person sits down, stands, or coughs / sneezes, the bitterness 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 usually recommended to alleviate 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 give this kind of pain relief. The doctor makes injections at specific points, which helps in complete pain relief. An individual intolerance to the drug used becomes a contraindication.

Preparations for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis

One of the most uncomfortable back diseases is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of the disease involves the use of several groups of medicines. Funds are used in the complex.

Preparations from the category of muscle relaxants are created to relax muscle corsets and relieve spasm formed. Moreover, they normalize local blood circulation, partially relieving pain.

When choosing a medicine, you should consider the existing contraindications. They are quite numerous.

The other group of products are medicines that improve blood circulation. Lack of oxygen from the internal organs as a result of narrowing of the lumen of the vessels can cause their hypoxia. To exclude the development of such pathology, the patient is prescribed special drugs.

Painkillers are becoming mandatory medicines. To relieve bloating and eliminate pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. They do not have a therapeutic effect, but act exactly symptomatically, relieving existing pain.

The attending physician should prescribe the drug and choose the dose. It is highly discouraged to increase the dose of the agent itself, as this can have a very negative effect on overall well-being.

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

Exceeding the permissible doses prescribed by a specialist is unacceptable.

Low back osteochondrosis: home treatment

Home treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is mainly aimed at relieving pain. Doctors allow the use of pain relievers.

It should be noted that treatment can only be started after consulting your doctor. Drug selection and dosage should be handled by a specialist.

Osteochondrosis - treatment with folk remedies

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

  • An oil based on stalk and butter gives a good result. Dried hop cones should be ground to a powder and mixed with softened butter. The fully rubbed mass should be applied to the area of ​​inflammation until it is completely absorbed.
  • A popular remedy is mulberry rubbing. For one glass of medical alcohol berries, take four glasses of fresh berries. Before pouring them with alcohol, the thorns should be rubbed. Insist the medicine for two weeks, then drain and use rubbing solution.

Now you know what low back osteochondrosis is, the symptoms and treatment of the condition. If you experience pain typical of the disease, you should seek qualified medical help.