Osteonecrosis is a dangerous disease of the spine that, if complicated, can permanently impair quality of life.This pathology has become significantly “younger”: various forms of the disease are increasingly found in young people.
Lumbar spondylosis: symptoms and drug treatment
Osteonecrosis is the name given to the deformity of the discs, cartilage, and bones of the spine.
Depending on the location, cervical, thoracic and lumbar (lumbar sacral) osteochondrosis are distinguished.
The causes of the disease are quite diverse:
- upright walking;
- scoliosis;
- spinal injury;
- flat feet;
- work that involves lifting heavy objects;
- frequent changes in body position;
- spinal overload;
- Staying for a long time in uncomfortable positions;
- obesity and low physical activity;
- poor nutrition, accompanied by nutrient deficiency;
- emphasize.
Symptoms of lumbar osteoarthritis
- First of all, this disease causes pain.The pain is searing;
- There is a feeling of pain in the lower limbs, then numbness;
- Due to discomfort, motor activity is significantly reduced;
- The pain gets worse with heavy lifting, intense physical activity, sudden movements, and even sneezing/coughing.
Diagnosis of lumbar osteoarthritis
The conclusion was made by a neurologist based on the patient's complaints.The doctor examines the spine in different positions, at rest/in motion.X-ray, CT or MRI should be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.Based on the results obtained, a variety of treatment methods are prescribed: medications, exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapy.
Treatment of lumbar spondylosis with medication
The drug should stop the acute process, reduce symptoms and partially restore damaged disc tissue.
The drugs used are classified according to their type of action:
- Analgesics – acute pain relief;
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – reduce swelling and inflammation;
- Muscle relaxants – relax muscle spasms;
- Glucocorticoid hormones - prescribed when other medications have not worked;
- Chondroprotectors – stimulate cartilage regeneration;
- The machine accelerates metabolism/blood flow;
- Minerals and vitamins – improve nerve conduction.
Drug treatment for acute exacerbations
During this period, the most important thing is pain relief.Therapy begins with injections and then continues with pills.It is very important to start treatment promptly, as inflammation can block the vessels and nerves of the affected part of the spine.
Pain is relieved with pain relievers and NSAIDs.Opioid pain relievers are most effective but have side effects.In this respect, NSAIDs are safer so they are prescribed more often.
Both pain relievers and NSAIDs inhibit the production of prostaglandins, substances involved in inflammation and pain.
NSAIDs reduce discomfort and inflammation.There are products for external use (gels, ointments), for internal use (tablets, capsules) and in injectable form (intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous).
Muscle relaxants
Muscle spasms are a response to inflammation.Muscle tension increases pain.Muscle relaxants help relax the muscles and thus reduce the severity of the disease.
Dosage is selected individually.This therapy lasts 2-3 weeks or until symptoms disappear.
Inhibits pain
Anesthetic blockade involves puncture of the affected area.They may inject glucocorticoid medication.The pain relief effect lasts up to 3 days.
Hormone treatment
Glucocorticoid hormones have powerful anti-inflammatory effects.But they are only used if less aggressive drugs don't work.Often, complex drugs are prescribed, one of whose components is hormones.Hormone treatment has a high risk of side effects and should be prescribed for the shortest possible duration.
Preparations for external use
In cases of more severe lumbar osteoarthritis, various gels/ointments are used that have a warming and local warming effect.They may also be anti-inflammatory.Ointments and gels reduce the severity of the symptoms of the disease.
Vasodilators - vasodilators
Muscle spasms and pain cause narrowing of blood vessels.To eliminate this phenomenon, a drug that dilates blood vessels and improves the nutritional status of tissues is prescribed.
Treatment during remission
In severe cases, only use drugs that reduce the symptoms of lumbar spine disease and do not affect the cause.Rehabilitation measures should be carried out in combination with symptomatic treatment.However, osteonecrosis is not always obvious;For example, when the chest area is affected, the disease progresses slowly and becomes chronic.Therefore, in some cases, treatment is carried out without the use of strong drugs.
Chondroprotectors help restore the function of intervertebral discs in the lumbar region.They saturate cartilage tissue with useful substances and restore the elasticity of the intervertebral disc.
Chondroprotectors prevent the destruction of cartilage and stabilize their condition.But you need to take such drugs for a long time, sometimes for life.The effect occurs at least six months after starting treatment.Chondroprotectors are used both externally and internally, as well as in the form of injections.
These drugs are based on two active ingredients – glucosamine and chondroitin.The medicine may contain one or both of these substances at the same time and may also be supplemented with other active ingredients.
Examples of chondroprotectors:
- Glucosamine-based;
- based on chondroitin;
- with glucosamine and chondroitin;
- with glucosamine, chondroitin and vitamins;
- syringe.
The drug improves blood flow and metabolism
B vitamins, especially B1, B6 and B12, as well as ascorbic acid have beneficial effects on the peripheral nervous system.Complex vitamin preparations can be prescribed.Vitamin-mineral complexes are prescribed as general fortifiers.
A preventive course of such drugs will support the health of the spine.2-3 courses per year are enough to reduce the risk of exacerbations of the disease.
Sedative
Prolonged discomfort makes people depressed and can cause stress and even depression.To prevent deterioration of the psycho-emotional state, people prescribe motherwort, valerian and combined herbal medicines.
If the mental disorder is severe, antidepressants will be used.To improve sleep quality, sleeping pills are prescribed.