Lumbar osteochondrosis is a very common disease. But despite this, it is not recommended to let your treatment run its course under any circumstances, as this can lead to serious consequences, including disability. The older the person, the more likely they are to develop a condition such as lumbar osteochondrosis.
Elderly people with this disease, unfortunately, face an average of 90% of cases. The special risk group includes those who do not lead a sufficiently mobile and active lifestyle. And these people, you see, are now the majority.
The main causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
In case of uneven load distribution in 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 significantly reduced mobility in the lumbar spine.
The situation where the back of a person with lumbar osteochondrosis does not suddenly occur; therefore, experts recommend starting a solution to the problem before it becomes critical. So it makes sense to test your body for any problems.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis are as follows:
- pulling pain in the lower back (in the first stage of the disease the pain is not very strong, but with time it intensifies);
- limited mobility in the lower back;
- problems with walking;
- numbness of the limbs.
Due to the compression of the intervertebral vessels, even diseases of Organs internal organs can occur. This happens if the disease is severely neglected. If you notice any of the above symptoms, it is highly recommended that you immediately seek specialist help: a neurologist or therapist. The doctor will prescribe a comprehensive therapy that can effectively prevent the situation from worsening.
How to act in the event of an acute osteochondrosis crisis
If, however, your back becomes unexpectedly twisted at some point, you should know what specific actions to take before an ambulance team should be called. So we're talking about the following manipulations:
- in no case should the 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 are burdened with the development of paralysis;
- if possible, help the person to lie down on the bed or sofa;
- do not touch the painful area of the back;
- the victim needs to be given an anesthetic that reduces the pain;
- if the pain syndrome is mild, the lower back should be treated with an anesthetic ointment.
Characteristics of the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
The main task that must be solved in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is the elimination of pain. After that, a series of actions must be taken to restore mobility and eliminate the cause of spinal nerve compression. In principle, the goal of treatment in any case is to achieve complete recovery for the patient. In advanced cases, we are talking about inducing stable remission with restoration of most motor functions.
Treatment can be conservative and immediate. The conservative method of treating lumbar osteochondrosis involves courses of analgesics, as well as general strengthening and anti-inflammatory therapy. Surgical treatment is performed only in cases where there is a real risk of paralysis due to significant displacement of the vertebral disc. During the surgical operation, the hernia is removed, the intervertebral discs are replaced, and bone growths, adhesions and scars on the vertebrae are removed.
In some cases, the use of folk remedies can be a very effective method. For example, you can make herbal compresses. It is also helpful to wrap the lower back with natural camel scarves or scarves or any other wool.
Characteristics of rehabilitation for osteochondrosis
In order to consolidate the results of the treatment carried out, it is highly recommended to take rehabilitation measures very seriously. It is best to do this during remission at medical and physical training centers, which are open in almost every city. Rehabilitation programs are developed for each person separately, selecting the complex individually. It includes all types of treatments, including exercise therapy, massage and physiotherapy.