According to world statistics, about 80% of adult inhabitants of our huge planet have the same health problem - periodic or even constant back pain in the lumbar region.Lumbar pain is the main symptom of many diseases of the spine and internal organs in the abdominal cavity.And it is completely in vain that most people, feeling discomfort in this area, begin to intensively use various ointments and other “homemade lotions”, bypassing the doctor and without understanding the reasons.Using these methods, you can easily achieve the opposite of the expected result.
Reasons: definite, exclusive
The success of any treatment depends directly on the accuracy of the diagnosis;When symptoms are eliminated, the likelihood of a relapse increases.Subsequently, such treatment can only worsen the situation.Therefore, you must first carefully check the condition of all organs, the symptoms of which may be pain in the lumbar region.
Digestive system
Exacerbations of diseases of the digestive system (pancreatitis, ulcers, colitis, cholecystitis, enteritis, appendicitis) often lead to pain in the lumbar region.
urinary system
Most often, kidney pain is confused with symptoms of lumbar spine diseases, since their nature is identical.Diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract of various etiologies are accompanied not only by a “rebound” in the lower back, but also by disorders of urination (frequency, malaise, the presence of blood in the urine and its turbidity), as well as an increase in body temperature.
reproductive system
When problems with the reproductive organs in men and women in the acute stage, pain often radiates to the lumbar region, tailbone or to the side.The nature of these pains is often belt-shaped and does not have a pronounced localization.
If a disease of an organ not related to the musculoskeletal system is detected, it is treated, since it is the actual cause of the pain syndrome.If after a thorough examination no problems with the above organs are found, most likely there is a problem with the spine.
Osteochondrosis
The most mobile part of the spine, which takes the lion's share of the load, is the lumbosacral part.With a sedentary lifestyle, excessive loads and insufficient supply of nutrients to the cartilage tissue of the spine, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral cartilage in the lumbar region occur - osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and stages of the disease
The main alarming symptom of osteochondrosis is pain in the lumbar region.In the initial stage it is localized and directed to the sacrum, its character is pulling (painful).During this time, destructive processes affected the nucleus pulposus (dehydration occurs) and the intervertebral discs (their height decreases).With heavy strain, discomfort occurs and the pain itself is mild.
If the problem is ignored after some time and no action is taken, lumbago begins to radiate into the thigh and buttocks.As the intervertebral spaces narrow, the muscles and ligaments “sag” and the spine becomes unstable.This leads to loss of sensation and numbness.
The third stage is characterized by morphological changes in the intervertebral discs, the spine itself is severely deformed and disc bulging and herniation occur.At this stage the pain becomes more intense and prolonged.Every movement causes unbearable pain.It is possible that areas of the spinal cord, blood vessels and nerve endings adjacent to the sore spot become compressed as the fibrous ring protrudes and affects the spinal canal.
The final stage of lumbar osteochondrosis “forces” the body to adapt to the changes caused by the disease in the following ways.In order to maintain the supporting and protective functions, bone tissue grows in the diseased area.As a rule, this leads to various microtraumas and, as a result, disability.
An integrated treatment approach
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis must be comprehensive, regardless of the stage of development of the disease.In mild cases, the prognosis for treatment is favorable;Deformation processes can be stopped completely and the consequences minimized.At the final stage of the disease, the goal of treatment is to eliminate all symptoms and consequences, normalize the nutrition of the spinal tissue and strengthen the muscular corset of the entire back and especially its lower part.
Medication
To relieve pain in lumbar osteochondrosis, analgesics in tablet form or injections are used;The second option is preferable as it is more effective.To relieve the inflammatory process, anti-inflammatory drugs (non-steroidal) are prescribed.Muscle spasms that occur simultaneously with pain are eliminated by muscle relaxants.Chondroprotectors are used to restore damaged cartilage tissue.
All of the above-mentioned remedies sometimes do not produce the desired effect because the medicine cannot penetrate to the site of action due to damage.
To relieve an acute attack of pain, a block is used.It should only be carried out by a specialist.
A long needle is used to inject a suitable painkiller into the space between the spinous processes.After such a procedure, the pain disappears very quickly, but for some time, since there is no therapeutic effect.
The use of local complex products – ointments, gels – is effective.They have a pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and warming effect;Many preparations for topical use contain a chondroprotector.These remedies are very effective when used correctly and in combination with a massage.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
In combination with drug treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, physiotherapeutic procedures are used - balneotherapy, laser and magnetic therapy, treatment with weak currents, light and vibrations.They have practically no side effects or contraindications.
Alternative methods
Increasingly, alternative (non-traditional) methods are used simultaneously with traditional treatment - hirudotherapy, acupuncture, bee stings, manual therapy.These methods bring the long-awaited relief, but some of them have contraindications, so consultation with your doctor is necessary.
In addition to all of the above treatment methods, physiotherapy helps to overcome the disease.Correctly distributed loads of the required intensity help restore blood circulation to damaged areas, shape or strengthen the muscle corset, thereby relieving the load on the spine.
When treating osteochondrosis, it is important to correctly combine treatment methods, first of all acute attacks of pain are relieved, then inflammatory processes and only after the acute phase of the disease has passed can non-traditional methods and physical exercises be used.
Yoga and Pilates complexes have proven to be excellent rehabilitation programs for spinal diseases.
Hernia of the lumbar spine
Against the background of untreated or neglected osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, an inguinal hernia very often develops - a disease in which, due to insufficient physical activity or excessive stress, nutrition of the intervertebral disc tissue occurs, its strength decreases and, as a result, a rupture of the intervertebral disc occurs.The destructive process can drag on for many years and remain unnoticed all the time, but with a single unsuccessful movement the mechanism starts and all the symptoms appear one after another.
General symptoms and course of the disease
Symptoms of a lumbar hernia include decreased tendon reflexes, pain of varying intensity, muscle weakness, and numbness in the limbs.Pain from a hernia does not always occur;It is possible to have lumbago, which gradually spreads towards the pinched nerve.
Body deformation is a characteristic sign of a lumbar hernia.This phenomenon occurs involuntarily because the body needs to find the most comfortable position in which pain is minimal.In severe, rapidly progressing diseases, paralysis (partial or complete) of the lower extremities can occur.This phenomenon is usually accompanied by dysfunction of the abdominal organs, especially the intestines and bladder.
Clinical manifestations of a hernia of the lumbosacral zone are manifested by a constant increase in pain and its intensification during certain physical activities (weight lifting, bending, sudden strong muscle tension, coughing), a dull, aching pain that is localized in one place and does not disappear, a direction of pain in the buttocks or leg, or a feeling of numbness in this area.
Diagnosis of a lumbar disc herniation
It is difficult to diagnose a hernia visually or based solely on the symptoms described by the patient.To more accurately determine the presence of the disease, various methods are used that help to accurately determine the location of the disease.Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and radiography - thanks to these methods, the doctor can clearly determine the location of the pathologically changed vertebra and see the deformed intervertebral disc.
To determine the severity of the disease and the consequences, doctors use various tests: raising the straight leg, tendon reflexes, sensitivity (response) of the leg at all levels (from the toes to the hip joint) to various types of stimuli – pain, vibration and temperature.
Treatment methods
Depending on the severity and condition of the patient, different methods are used to treat hernias.In the event of an exacerbation, you must first immediately limit physical activity, up to bed rest, and relieve the pain with medication.After 5-7 days, when the acute phase has passed and the pain has subsided, drug treatment is supplemented with other restorative procedures (massage, physiotherapy, physical education).
Medicinal and conservative treatment of lumbar hernias is the same as for osteochondrosis.
surgery
In cases of serious illness and the presence of many serious consequences, surgical treatment is advisable.
Indications for surgical intervention:
- Sequestration of an inguinal hernia – penetration of an area of the disc damaged by an inguinal hernia into the spinal canal;
- Dysfunction of all or one organ in the pelvis;
- the patency of the spinal canal is impaired (determined by MRI);
- lack of results with medical and conservative treatment for three or more months;
- Inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
Today, surgical treatment of hernias is carried out using gentle, minimally invasive endoscopic procedures.
The laser reconstruction method uses a laser to vaporize fluid from the protruding nucleus pulposus.This “releases” the nerve root, i.e. its compression is removed.However, this type of procedure has a number of contraindications, such as:B. early spinal surgery, spondylolisthesis, spondyloarthritis, obstruction of the spinal canal (stenosis) and protrusion of the nucleus pulposus into the canal.
To remove the damaged part of the intervertebral disc, the percutaneous discectomy method is used.Vaporization and removal of damaged tissue occurs with a needle inserted through the skin.
In cases where the restoration of a damaged intervertebral disc is not possible using any method, ranging from medication to minimally invasive surgery, or all methods used do not bring results, the deformed intervertebral disc is replaced with a prosthesis.
Preventive measures
To prevent the progression of the disease, special exercises are prescribed.Exercise sets must be developed by a specialist individually for each patient and include exercises for muscle stretching, tension and light aerobic exercises.
If a disc herniates in the lumbar spine, doctors recommend wearing a special fixation belt.Externally, it resembles a capsule, is about 30 cm wide, is attached to the body with Velcro and has several degrees of rigidity.
This product is needed to evenly distribute the load (from the diseased to the healthy area) and relieve (discharge) tension.By constantly wearing the belt, injured spinal segments are corrected and returned to their anatomical position.
Lumbodynia with radicular syndrome
As a result, against the background of osteochondrosis and hernia of the lumbar spine, lumbago develops - lumbar lumbago (acute paroxysmal pain).This is the “simplest” scenario.Since hernias and osteochondrosis are characterized by deformation and frequent prolapse of the damaged intervertebral disc and displacement of the spine, pinching of adjacent nerve roots occurs, the so-called radicular syndrome.
It is aggravated by the pinching of the veins, causing tissue swelling (soft) and blockage.The symptoms of lumbodynia with radicular syndrome are similar to those of a lumbar hernia (stinging pain radiating downwards, loss of sensitivity, and impaired reflexes).Since this is a consequence, the cause must first be treated with a holistic approach, otherwise disability may result.
sciatica
Another consequence of hernias and osteochondrosis is inflammation of the sciatic nerve - sciatica and the associated pain that radiates to the leg or buttocks.Despite the possibility of clearly identifying the “sore” spot, the cause lies in the spine.
Sciatica is not a disease in itself;This term refers to a series of symptoms that are associated with certain diseases of the spine.The pain sensations can be different, in some cases it is only mild discomfort when staying in the same, not very comfortable position for a long time, and sometimes the pain leads to loss of consciousness and painkillers do not help in this case.
For effective treatment, it is not enough to diagnose sciatica or lumbago;In any case, you must carry out a comprehensive examination by various specialists and accurately identify the cause, since it is the provoking factor.Eliminating a few symptoms increases the likelihood that the underlying disease will progress and many complications will arise.Paying attention to your health, detecting problems early and treating them in a timely manner is the key to good health.