Osteochondrosis is a spinal disease 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 disorders 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 intensifies with movements and bending.
One to two years after the onset of lumbar osteochondrosis, pain may spread to the buttock or groin.Stiffness of movements occurs in the lumbar region.
Lumbar osteochondrosis develops slowly, but over time, periods of exacerbations occur more often, and symptoms intensify as new vertebrae continue to be affected.
The most common variant of lumbar osteochondrosis is chronic lumbodynia.With this form, the following symptoms are observed:
- The onset of symptoms occurs in periods, in waves.
- Mild pain in the lumbar region, worse in the morning.
- Stiffness in the back.
- The pain goes away after 30 minutes, but even minor 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 may be signs of different diseases, and the disease may not progress according to the manual.Do not try to self-medicate - consult a doctor.
During an exacerbation, hospitalization for a week is indicated.The patient is recommended to rest in bed;it is recommended to walk using crutches, thus unloading the lumbar region.
To treat lumbar osteochondrosis, various spinal tractions and back massages are performed.
Drug treatment includes painkillers, sedatives and vitamins.In some cases, 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 an obligatory 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 the most effective, because 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 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 and mustard dressings.
Traditional medicine for lumbar osteochondrosis includes warming compresses with birch leaves or black radish juice.
Good nutrition can significantly improve your condition.