According to world statistics, about 80% of the adult inhabitants of our great planet share the same health problem - occasional or even constant back pain in the lower back.Back pain is the main symptom of many diseases of the spine and internal organs located in the abdominal cavity.It is absolutely in vain that the majority of those who have problems in this area start intensively using various ointments and other "homemade lotions" bypassing the doctor and not understanding the reasons.With these methods, you can easily get the opposite of the expected result.
Reasons: defined, except
The success of any treatment directly depends on the correctness of the diagnosis;when the symptoms are resolved, the likelihood of relapse increases.Subsequently, such treatment can only worsen the situation.Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to carefully check the condition of all organs, symptoms may be pain in the lower back.
Digestive system
Exacerbation of diseases of the digestive system (pancreatitis, ulcers, colitis, cholecystitis, enteritis, appendicitis) often provokes the appearance of pain in the lower back.
Urinary system
Often, kidney pain is mistaken for symptoms of back diseases, because their nature is the same.Diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract of various etiologies are accompanied not only by "retraction" to the lower back, but also by urinary disorders (frequency, discomfort, blood in the urine and its turbidity) and an increase in body temperature.
Reproductive system
In the acute stage, when there are problems with reproductive organs in men and women, the pain often spreads to the lower back, tailbone or side.The nature of these pains is often girdle without a clear localization.
If any organ disease not related to the musculoskeletal system is detected, it is treated, because this is the real cause of the pain syndrome.If no problems are found in the above-mentioned organs after a thorough examination, then it is likely that 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 occur in the intervertebral cartilage in the lumbar region - osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and stages of the disease
The main disturbing symptom of osteochondrosis is pain in the lower back.At the initial stage, it is localized and directed to the sacrum, its character is stretched (pains).During this period, the destruction processes affect the nucleus pulposus (its dehydration occurs), as well as the vertebral discs (their standing height decreases).Discomfort is observed with heavy loads, and the pain itself is light.
After a while, if the problem is ignored and no measures are taken, lumbago begins to spread to the thighs and hips.Due to the narrowing of the intervertebral spaces, the muscles and ligaments "wrap" and the spine becomes unstable.This causes loss of sensation and numbness.
The third stage is characterized by morphological changes in the discs, the spine itself is severely deformed, the protrusion and prolapse of the disc develops.At this stage, the pain is stronger and longer.Every movement brings excruciating pain.It is possible to compress the spinal cord, blood vessels and nerve endings adjacent to the painful area due to the protrusion of the fibrous ring and its impact on the spinal canal.
The last stage of lumbar osteochondrosis "forces" the body to adapt to the changes caused by the disease in the following way.Bone tissue grows at the site of the disease to maintain supporting and protective functions.This usually leads to various microtraumas and then disability.
An integrated approach to treatment
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis should be comprehensive, regardless of the stage of development of the disease.In mild cases, the prognosis for treatment is favorable;deformation processes can be completely stopped and their consequences minimized.The goal of treatment in the final stage of the disease is to eliminate all symptoms and consequences, normalize the nutrition of spinal tissues, strengthen the muscle corset of the entire back and especially the lower part.
Medicines
Analgesics are used in tablets or injections to relieve pain in lumbar osteochondrosis;the second option is preferred because it is more effective.Anti-inflammatory drugs (non-steroidal) are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process.Muscle spasms that occur simultaneously with pain are relieved by muscle relaxants.Chondroprotectors are used to restore damaged cartilage tissue.
All of the above means sometimes do not give the desired effect, because the damage prevents the drug from penetrating the area of effect.
A blockade is used to eliminate an acute pain attack.It should only be performed by a specialist.
Using a long needle, an appropriate analgesic is injected into the space between the spinous processes.After such a procedure, the pain disappears very quickly, but for a while, because there is no therapeutic effect.
The use of local complex products - ointments, gels - is effective.They have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, warming effect;Many preparations for topical use contain a chondroprotector.These tools are quite effective when used correctly and combined with massage.
Physiotherapy procedures
For lumbar osteochondrosis, along with drug treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures are used - balneotherapy, laser and magnetic therapy, weak currents, light and vibration therapy.They have practically no side effects or contraindications.
Alternative methods
Increasingly, alternative (non-traditional) methods are used simultaneously with traditional treatment - hirudotherapy, acupuncture, bee sting, manual therapy.These methods provide long-awaited relief, but some have contraindications, so consultation with your doctor is required.
In addition to all the above-mentioned treatment methods, physical therapy helps to cope with the disease.Properly distributed loads of the necessary intensity will help restore blood circulation in the damaged areas, form or strengthen the muscle corset, and thereby relieve the load on the spine.
When treating osteochondrosis, it is important to correctly combine treatment methods, first of all, acute pain attacks are eliminated, then inflammatory processes, and only when the acute period of the disease ends, non-traditional methods and physical exercises can be used.
Yoga and Pilates complexes have proven to be excellent rehabilitation programs for spinal diseases.
Lumbar hernia
A hernia develops very often against the background of untreated or neglected osteochondrosis of the lumbar region - a disease in which due to insufficient physical activity or excessive stress, the nutrition of the disc tissue occurs, its strength decreases and, as a result, the disc ruptures.The process of destruction can go on for many years and go unnoticed all this time, but with one unsuccessful move, the mechanism starts and all the symptoms begin to appear one after the other.
General symptoms and course of the disease
Symptoms of a herniated disc include decreased tendon reflexes, pain of varying intensity, muscle weakness, and numbness of the extremities.Pain from a hernia does not always occur;lumbago is possible, which gradually spreads in the direction of the pinched nerve.
The curvature of the body is a characteristic sign of a lumbar hernia.This phenomenon happens involuntarily, because the body needs to find the most comfortable position where the pain is minimal.In severe, rapidly developing disease, the results can be paralysis of the lower extremities (partial or complete).This phenomenon is usually accompanied by disorders in the work of the abdominal organs, especially the intestines and bladder.
The clinical manifestations of a hernia of the lumbar-sacral zone are expressed by a constant increase in pain and intensification during special physical activities (lifting weights, bending, sudden strong muscle tension, coughing), localized dull aching pain in a point that does not pass, the direction of pain in the hip or leg, or numbness of this area.
Diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation
Diagnosing a hernia is difficult visually or based only on the symptoms described by the patient.To more accurately determine the presence of the disease, several methods are used that help to accurately determine the location of the disease.Computed tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance and radiography - thanks to these methods, the doctor will be able to accurately determine the location of the pathologically changed vertebra and see the deformed disc.
To determine the severity and consequences of the disease, doctors use several tests: straight leg elevation, tendon reflexes, sensitivity (reaction) of the leg at all levels (from the toes to the hip joint) to several types of stimuli - pain, vibration and temperature.
Treatment methods
Depending on the severity and condition of the patient, different methods are used for the treatment of hernia.In case of exacerbation, first of all, it is necessary to immediately limit physical activity until bed rest and relieve pain with drugs.After 5-7 days, when the acute period ends and the pain subsides, drug treatment is completed with other restorative procedures (massage, physiotherapy, physical education).
Medical and conservative treatment of lumbar hernia is the same as osteochondrosis.
Surgery
In case of severe disease and many serious consequences, surgical treatment is recommended.
Indications for surgical intervention:
- sequestration of the hernia - insertion of the disc area damaged by the hernia into the spinal canal;
- dysfunction of all or one organ in the pelvis;
- the openness of the spinal canal is disturbed (determined by MRI);
- lack of results when using drugs and conservative treatment for three or more months;
- inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
Surgical treatment of hernias is now performed using gentle, minimally invasive endoscopic procedures.
The laser reconstruction method involves vaporization of fluid from the protruding nuclear pulp using a laser.Thanks to this, the nerve root is "released", that is, its compression is removed.But this type of intervention has a number of contraindications, such as early spine surgery, spondylolisthesis, spondyloarthritis, blockage of the spinal canal (stenosis) and protrusion of the nucleus pulposus into the canal.
Percutaneous discectomy is used to remove the damaged part of the intervertebral disc.Steaming and removal of damaged tissue is performed with a needle inserted through the skin.
In cases where the damaged disc cannot be restored by any method, beginning with drug treatment and ending with minimally invasive surgery, or in cases where all the methods used have failed, the deformed disc is replaced with a prosthesis.
Preventive measures
Special exercises are prescribed to prevent the development of the disease.Exercise sets should be individually prepared by a specialist for each patient and should include muscle stretching, tension and light aerobic exercises.
Doctors recommend wearing a special fixation belt for lumbar hernia.Externally, it looks like 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 illness to health) and relieve tension (discharge).By constantly wearing the belt, the damaged segments of the spine are corrected and returned to their anatomical position.
Lumbodynia with radicular syndrome
Against the background of osteochondrosis and lumbar hernia, as a result, lumbago develops - lumbar lumbago (acute paroxysmal pain).This is the "simplest" scenario.Since herniation and osteochondrosis are characterized by deformation of the damaged disc and often prolapse and displacement of the spinal column, pinching of nearby nerve roots, called radicular syndrome, is observed.
It is aggravated by compression of the vessels, which causes tissue swelling (softness) and congestion.The symptoms of lumbodynia with radicular syndrome are similar to the symptoms of a herniated disc (sharp shooting pains radiating downward, loss of sensitivity and impaired reflexes), and since this is a consequence, the cause must first be treated with an integrated approach, otherwise it can lead to disability.
Sciatica
Another consequence of hernia and osteochondrosis is inflammation of the sciatic nerve - accompanying pain radiating to the sciatic and leg or hip.Despite the ability to accurately determine the "heavy" point, the cause is in the spine.
Sciatica is not an independent disease;this term refers to a number of symptoms accompanying certain diseases of the spine.Pain sensations can be different, in some cases it is a mild discomfort when staying in the same uncomfortable position for a long time, and sometimes the pain causes loss of consciousness, and in this case analgesics do not help.
It is not enough to diagnose sciatica or lumbago for effective treatment;in any case, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive examination from various specialists and determine the exact cause, because this is an inciting factor.By eliminating only a few symptoms, the likelihood of the main disease progressing and the appearance of many complications increases.Paying attention to your health, early recognition of problems and timely treatment are the keys to health.