Lumbar disc herniation is a common orthopedic disease, and it is also one of the causes of waist and leg pain. It often occurs in middle-aged and elderly people. Many people think that lumbar disc herniation must be treated by surgery, but some patients can relieve pain through conservative treatment.
Which patients with lumbar disc herniation are suitable for conservative treatment?
If a huge herniated disc compresses the cauda equina nerve, causing dysfunction of urine and feces, surgery is required in this case. Except for this special situation, other lumbar disc herniation can be treated conservatively. Generally, conservative treatment can be effectively relieved in about 6 to 12 weeks.
What are the conservative treatment methods for lumbar disc herniation?
1, more rest
Bed rest is one of the common methods for conservative treatment of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, especially during the acute pain period, absolute bed rest is required, which can reduce the pressure of the intervertebral disc. But staying in bed for too long can cause back muscle atrophy, unless it is a patient with very severe pain, other people need to reduce the time in bed. After the symptoms are relieved, get out of bed as soon as possible. In addition, you must master the correct sleeping position when resting in bed, and choose a pillow that can support your neck when sleeping on your side. When lying on your back, place a pillow on your knees to raise your knees.
2, drug treatment
patients with lumbar disc herniation can choose neurotrophic drugs, which can nourish the nerves, avoid damaged nerve discharge, and effectively relieve pain. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs can also be used, because the pain caused by lumbar disc protrusion and has a certain relationship with the neuroinflammatory reaction. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs can not only relieve pain, but also control aseptic inflammation around nerves. The medicine can cause great irritation to the gastric mucosa, and the medication time should be arranged after meals. There are also some proprietary Chinese medicines on the market that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, which can effectively improve the blood circulation of nerves and local tissues and effectively relieve local inflammation. If there is severe pain, but the nerve damage is mild, intravenous dripping of dehydrating drugs and hormones can relieve the inflammatory edema caused by the nerve root and help eliminate the pain.
3, lumbar back muscle exercise
patients with lumbar back muscles relax, unable to better support the spine, making the lumbar spine lose stability, causing lumbar spine and lumbar intervertebral disc metamorphosis, so it is very important for patients with lumbar disc herniation to strengthen the lumbar back muscles. Lumbar traction
4, lumbar traction
lumbar spine traction is a traditional treatment method that can relieve back pain and sciatica problems, but you must choose an experienced professional doctor to do traction, not heavy and long-term traction.
5, epidural injection of
epidural injection of steroids can assist in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, but it cannot solve the problem fundamentally, but can only improve its symptoms.
6, manual therapy
manual therapy can effectively improve the low back pain problem, relieve its functional status, suitable for mild to moderate patients without lumbosacral neuralgia.
Under what circumstances can't blind conservative treatment?
Each treatment has its indications and contraindications. It should not be treated blindly and conservatively, so as to avoid serious consequences to the body, let alone over-treatment due to ignorance. If the history of lumbar disc herniation is more than 6 weeks, there is no effect after conservative treatment or the symptoms are aggravated by conservative treatment, and surgical treatment is required. In addition, patients with severe pain, compression position, single nerve or cauda equina palsy, etc. require surgical treatment.
Warm reminder
patients with lumbar disc herniation need to choose a suitable treatment method according to their own situation. Always maintain good living habits, avoid cold waist and legs, and master the correct standing and sitting posture.
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Reference materials:
1, "Conservative treatment of lumbar disc herniation can not be blind, pay attention to these to make you less detours", orthopedic doctor, 2020-08-17
2 "Conservative treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation-bedridden", spine doctor Li Weixin , 2016-03-18
