Signs of lumbar necrosis are not immediately obvious.Symptoms appear slowly, the diagnosis is made to be in the advanced stage of the disease.It is necessary to distinguish between atelectasis and other diseases in order to seek timely medical examination. The main signs of osteonecrosis of the lumbar spine:
- Back pain. At first, it manifests itself only when lifting weights, but then it becomes constant. It can no longer be associated with any action. At the time of the onset of the disease, the pain cannot be tolerated, it is necessary to eliminate it immediately.
- Impaired foot sensitivity. This happens due to an injury to the nerve end. In the beginning there is a characteristic tingling sensation, a burning sensation, and "goosebumps" appear below the sacrum. If the disease progresses seriously, the lower extremities will begin to observe the loss of reflexes of the tendons and muscle weakness.
- Sweating too much.
- Limits movement due to a pinched nerve. Pains will occur when turning, bending, or changing positions, similar to electric shock.
- Cold hands and feet, skin, pale.
- In severe cases, sexual dysfunction occurs, problems with urination.
Without timely treatment, lumbar necrosis can lead to paralysis and disability.
Exacerbation of disease
With periods of relative remission, exacerbations occur. They are characterized by throbbing pain, surrounding and moving down the sciatic nerve. As a result of the development of the disease, numbness to the toes. Such attacks disrupt the functioning of the small pelvic organs and systems. As a result, erectile dysfunction, constipation and incontinence are observed.
Characteristics of lumbar necrosis in women
Pelvic pain accompanied by lumbar tumors adversely affects the reproductive system of the female body.With the progression of the disease, the menstrual cycle is interrupted and its dependence on the attacks of osteonecrosis can be observed.During pregnancy, bone necrosis can cause premature birth or miscarriage.
Treatment of osteonecrosis: main direction
Lumbar spine tumors require different therapies. Only with an integrated approach can you get a positive result. The use of drugs will only relieve the pain syndrome, not the cause of the disease. To cure the disease, you need to apply acupuncture, therapy, massage therapy, vacuum aspiration, and change your daily lifestyle. The treatment plan should be prescribed by the specialist, taking into account the stage of osteonecrosis, individual tolerability of the drug and the presence of chronic pathologies.
There are significant differences between the treatment regimens in the acute phase and during remission. In the case of an exacerbation, first of all to relieve tension to the spine. For this, the patient must lie down. It is better to use an orthopedic mattress with padding for the neck and lower back. It is important to take muscle relaxants to help relax and reduce spasm. In order to reduce the consequences of compression of nerve ends, lidocaine, novocaine injections are used.
Remission phase assumes the following treatment regimen:
- uses a vitamin B complex to normalize nerve impulse conduction;
- restores blood circulation in tissues caused by vasodilators;
- is undergoing physical therapy to reduce the number of exacerbations. Special bathrooms, massage types, magnetotherapy, acupuncture are prescribed; Physical therapy exercises
- , allow you to form a muscle group, restore mobility in the lumbar region and reduce the load on the vertebrae. The exercises are selected individually by the coach, taking into account the characteristics of the body.
Lumbar necrosis drugs
Medicines are divided into categories and methods of exposure:
- anesthetic cream, gel for external use;
- antispasmodic (affects the nerve leading to muscle fibers, has a relaxing effect, helps to reduce spasm, improves blood flow);
- hormonal anti-inflammatory drug. They are used for severe pain, fatigue. Hormones suppress inflammation, relieve pain, but suppress immunity, clear calcium out of bones and decrease their hormone synthesis.
- chondroprotectors for cartilage recovery. They slow down the destruction of cartilage, activate the synthesis of endothelial fluid, destroy inflammation, stimulate new cartilage cell formation;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Pain relievers and inflammatory drugs. You need to use them for a long time. They only eliminate symptoms, do not affect the cause of the pathology. Negatively affects the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, causing inflammation and stomach ulcers.
- B vitamins
Also, for osteonecrosis, sedatives are prescribed to bring the nervous system into order.
Lumbar degenerative exercises
Physiotherapy should be done regularly, only under these conditions can the effectiveness of the exercises be achieved.Physical activity should become the norm for people with necrosis of the spine. Not only doing special exercises but walking also has a positive effect on the spine.
Certain restrictions have to be followed to reduce the risk of lower back injury when exercising equipment. For example, resistance exercises should not be performed. This will lead to additional stress on the vertebrae, which are in a state of destruction. Also should not screw in the waist area. This is especially true for patients with bulging eyes and a hernia.
Physical therapy should not be performed if the patient, in addition to lumbar necrosis, has trauma, tumors of different origin and hematoma. People with spinal problems should not participate in vigorous sports.
Dietary food as a treatment
A well-designed menu will help maintain the health and strengthen the body. Diet should include:
- assorted cabbage;
- beef liver;
- green beans;
- sea fish;
- berries;
- eggs;
- carrots;
- dried fruit.
Limit salt, pickles, coffees, spices, alcoholic beverages, strong coffees and teas.
Possibility of surgical intervention
Lumbar resection is only indicated when serious complications develop, such as disc herniation.Erasing damaged discs is the most common.Surgical interventions are considered a radical, they are used when the other methods fail to deliver satisfactory results within six months. Modern medicine has high-tech, low-traumatic micro-surgical treatments.