Lumbar osteochondrosis is a fairly common disease. But, despite this, it is by no means recommended to let its treatment run its course, as this can lead to serious consequences, including disability. The older a person, the greater the likelihood of developing a disease such as lumbar osteochondrosis.
Unfortunately, elderly people with this disease face 90% of cases on average. As for the special risk group, it includes those who do not lead sufficiently mobile and active lives. And such people, you see, are in the majority now.
The main causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
When the load is unevenly distributed on the chin and trunk muscles, the intervertebral discs become deformed and protrude between the vertebrae. This leads to compression of the spinal nerves. The result is the so-called radicular syndrome, which is characterized by back pain and a significant decrease in mobility of the lumbar spine.
The situation in which the back wedges of a person with lumbar osteochondrosis do not suddenly occur, which is why experts recommend starting a solution to the problem before it becomes critical. So it makes sense to test your body for any issues.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are as follows:
- pulling pain in the lumbar region (at the first stage of the disease the pain is not too strong, but over time it intensifies);
- limitation of mobility in the lumbar region;
- problems walking;
- numbness of the limbs.
Due to the compression of the intervertebral vessels, even diseases of internal organs can occur. This happens if the disease is seriously neglected. If you observe any of the above symptoms, it is strongly recommended to immediately seek help from a specialist: a neurologist or therapist. The doctor will prescribe you comprehensive therapy which can effectively prevent the situation from getting worse.
How to act in an acute attack of osteochondrosis
If your back is nevertheless twisted at some point unexpectedly, you need to know what specific actions to take in anticipation of an ambulance team, who must be called. We are therefore talking about the following manipulations:
- in no case should a person be helped to straighten up, since such actions can not only provoke a new attack of pain, but also lead to an even greater displacement of the vertebrae, which leads to the development of paralysis;
- if possible, help the person lie down on the bed or sofa;
- do not touch the painful area of the back;
- the victim should be given an anesthetic drug that will reduce the pain;
- if the pain syndrome is moderate, the lumbar area should be treated with numbing ointment.
Features of the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
The main task that needs to be solved in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is the elimination of pain. After that, a number of measures should be taken to restore mobility and eliminate the cause of compression of the spinal nerves. In principle, the goal of treatment in all cases is to achieve a full recovery of the patient. In advanced cases, it is the induction of stable remission with restoration of most motor functions.
Treatment can be conservative and rapid. The conservative method of treating lumbar osteochondrosis involves pain treatments, as well as general strengthening and anti-inflammatory therapy. Surgical treatment is carried out only in cases where there is a real risk of paralysis against the background of a large displacement of the spinal disc. During the surgical operation, the hernia is removed, the intervertebral discs are replaced, as well as bone growths, adhesions and scars on the vertebrae are removed.
In some cases, the use of folk remedies can be quite an effective method. For example, you can make herbal compresses. It is also useful to wrap the lumbar area with scarves or scarves made of natural camel or any other wool.
Features of rehabilitation for osteochondrosis
To consolidate the results of the treatment carried out, it is strongly recommended to take rehabilitation measures very seriously. It is best to perform it during remission in medical and physical training centers, which are open in almost all cities. Rehabilitation programs are developed for each person separately, selecting the resort on an individual basis. It includes all kinds of treatments, including exercise therapy, massage, and physiotherapy.