Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine in which the intervertebral discs (and subsequently the vertebral bodies, joints and ligaments) lose their normal functionality.
The lumbar spine is very susceptible to diseases such as osteochondrosis.
The symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis are often quite difficult to recognize, as the course of the disease has many forms.
Symptoms
At the beginning of development, the symptoms are very mild: patients complain primarily of pain in the lumbar area, which increases with movement and flexion.
One to two years after the development of lumbar osteochondrosis begins, the pain may spread to the buttocks or groin area.There is stiffness of movement in the lumbar area.
Lumbar osteochondrosis develops slowly, but over time exacerbations occur more frequently and symptoms intensify as more and more new vertebrae are affected.
The most common variant of lumbar osteochondrosis is chronic lumbodynia.With this form, the following symptoms are observed:
- The appearance of symptoms occurs in periods, waves.
- Not very severe pain in the lumbar region, which worsens in the morning.
- Stiffness in the back.
- The pain subsides after 30 minutes, but even slight exertion can trigger it again.
- There can be a sudden increase in pain, a “lumbago”, usually due to physical exertion – acute lumbago.Symptoms of acute lumbago may occur for 1-2 weeks and are then replaced by symptoms of chronic lumbago.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
The same symptoms can be signs of different diseases, and the disease may not proceed according to the textbook.Do not try to self-medicate, but consult a doctor.
During an exacerbation, a one-week hospital stay is indicated.The patient is recommended bed rest;It is recommended to walk with the help of crutches to relieve the lumbar area.
To treat lumbar osteochondrosis, various spinal tractions and back massages are performed.
Drug therapy includes analgesics, sedatives and vitamins.In some cases a block 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 serves to strengthen the back muscles.
Exercises include flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, and rotation.Exercises in the pool are most effective because water reduces stress on the spine.
With worsening symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis, as well as in combination with spina bifida, therapeutic exercises consist of breathing exercises.
At home, a good effect in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is achieved by daily smearing painful areas with iodine, as well as pepper plasters and mustard plasters.
Traditional medicine for lumbar osteochondrosis includes warming compresses with birch leaves or black radish juice.
Proper nutrition can significantly improve your condition.