Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine symptoms and treatment

Signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis

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

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

The diagnosis of lumbar spine osteochondrosis is made in several stages. It begins with the collection of the patient's existing complaints and the subsequent study of the patient's history.

The next step is to examine the patient. Pain points are revealed by palpation on the surface of the spine.

Radiology is mandatory for one person. This technique is the main way to diagnose the disease. In the resulting image, the doctor is able to monitor 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 growth).

Magnetic resonance imaging is also mandatory. It is the magnetic resonance imaging that allows us to diagnose pathological processes that occur in the spine with maximum accuracy.

Computed tomography can be an alternative to MRI, replacing the procedure in case a person can not spend about 40 minutes in the limited space of the tomograph.

An additional blood test is assigned. It is necessary to exclude rheumatic pathology. An analysis is performed if a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of osteochondrosis has an elevated ESR.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

Each vertebra contains a fibrous ring that helps the spine withstand the pressure exerted on it. Abnormal changes that have occurred in the endocartillary tissue cause an increase in pressure in the fibrous ring. Its protrusion appears, accompanied by injury to the nerve roots. The result of the change is severe pain syndrome. Thus manifests the osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which we examine.

The signs of lumbar inflammation are:

  • Severe pain is the main symptom of degenerative changes in the spine, as a healthy person does not show back pain.
  • increased pain - corrected after a long stay of a person in the same position.
  • feeling of sharp pain - back pain - in the lumbar region.
  • periodic tingling sensation in the legs.

In women, the pathology may present with additional symptoms (caused by a violation of local blood circulation as a result of increased blood pressure):

  • inflammation of the organs of the reproductive system - uterus and ovaries.
  • infertility - develops in rare cases and is a complication of advanced osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.

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

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

For this pathology, the development of unpleasant sensations in the lower back is typical. At first, they are formed only after intense physical exercise, but as the condition worsens, they become non-stop, acquiring a pain. Sometimes a person has "back pain" - an intense painful sensation.

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.

Generally, symptomatic medications are recommended to relieve 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.

Exclusion applies to severe pain. But only a specialist can offer this kind of pain relief. The doctor injects in specific areas, which helps to completely relieve the pain. Individual intolerance to the drug used becomes a contraindication.

Preparations for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the back

One of the most unpleasant back diseases is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of the disease involves the use of different groups of drugs. The money is used in the band.

Preparations from the category of muscle relaxants are designed to relax the muscular corset and relieve the formed spasm. In addition, they normalize local blood circulation, partially relieving pain.

When choosing a drug, you should consider the existing contraindications. That's enough.

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

Painkillers become mandatory drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve swelling and eliminate pain. They have no therapeutic effect, but they act just by accident, relieving existing pain.

The treating physician should prescribe the treatment and choose the dosage. It is especially discouraging to increase the dose of the drug yourself, as this can have a very negative effect on overall 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 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 painkillers.

It should be noted that treatment can only be started after consulting your doctor. The choice of medication and dosage should be made by a specialist.

Osteochondrosis - treatment with folk remedies

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

  • An ointment based on hops and butter gives a good result. Dried hop cones should be ground into a powder and mixed with soft butter. The mass rubbed into the area of ​​inflammation must be well applied until it is completely absorbed.
  • A popular remedy is to rub elderberry. For one glass of medicinal berries alcohol, take four glasses of fresh berries. Before throwing them with alcohol, elderberry must be rubbed. Insist the drug for two weeks, then drain and use the rub for rubbing.

Now you know what is lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms and treatment of the disease. If you feel pain typical of the disease, you should seek special medical help.