How to get rid of low back pain with spondylolisthesis?
Low back pain is one of the most common complaints that patients present to family physicians, neurologists and orthopedists. It is often caused by displacement of the lumbar vertebrae - spondylolisthesis and the resulting instability of the lumbar spine.
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Why does spondylolisthesis occur?
Vertebrae can shift relative to each other for a variety of reasons.
Most often spondylolisthesis is caused by:
Also provoke the development of spondylolisthesis can provoke spinal surgeries - if you do not provide the lumbar spine with sufficient stabilization during the recovery period. Other risk factors for spinal misalignment include poor posture, obesity, infections (e.g., osteomyelitis) and tumors.
Most often spondylolisthesis is caused by:
- degenerative-dystrophic changes - with age, intervertebral discs and ligaments lose their elasticity and elasticity, which leads to instability of certain parts of the spine. This problem is usually observed in people after the age of 50;
- Trauma - falls, car accidents, sports injuries can disrupt the connection of vertebrae, causing them to shift;
- excessive physical exertion - spondylolisthesis is sometimes called the “professional disease” of movers and weightlifters. It is also found in gymnasts, soccer players and athletes who have the main loads on the back;
- congenital anomalies of vertebral development - in such people problems with the lower back begin at a young age, and sometimes in childhood.
Also provoke the development of spondylolisthesis can provoke spinal surgeries - if you do not provide the lumbar spine with sufficient stabilization during the recovery period. Other risk factors for spinal misalignment include poor posture, obesity, infections (e.g., osteomyelitis) and tumors.
How does spondylolisthesis manifest itself?
Up to a certain time, spondylolisthesis does not bother a person in any way. And even if an X-ray, CT or MRI scan reveals a vertebral displacement, one should not panic - these changes are not always accompanied by unpleasant sensations.
But symptomatic spondylolisthesis is a real problem, and it is not always easy to cope with it. Its main manifestation is pain in the lumbar spine. At first, it occurs only with load - for example, prolonged walking or standing. Then it begins to bother when sitting and any movement, even turning in bed.
Note: pain with spondylolisthesis can be acute, chronic with a gradual increase or constant.
Over time, these sensations are joined by leg pain, tingling and numbness, muscle weakness, stiffness of movement due to muscle tension.
Without treatment, the symptoms progress, because of which the physical activity of a person decreases, and the quality of his life rapidly falls. And this is considered a characteristic feature of lumbar spondylolisthesis.
But symptomatic spondylolisthesis is a real problem, and it is not always easy to cope with it. Its main manifestation is pain in the lumbar spine. At first, it occurs only with load - for example, prolonged walking or standing. Then it begins to bother when sitting and any movement, even turning in bed.
Note: pain with spondylolisthesis can be acute, chronic with a gradual increase or constant.
Over time, these sensations are joined by leg pain, tingling and numbness, muscle weakness, stiffness of movement due to muscle tension.
Without treatment, the symptoms progress, because of which the physical activity of a person decreases, and the quality of his life rapidly falls. And this is considered a characteristic feature of lumbar spondylolisthesis.
How to treat spondylolisthesis?
The only radical way to correct the position of the lumbar vertebrae is surgery. But it has its own disadvantages, so even neurosurgeons advise against rushing into surgery, and resort to it only when other options are ineffective.
Conservative treatment of spondylolisthesis includes drug therapy, kinesitherapy / LFK and stabilization of the lumbar spine. These methods do not replace each other and should be used in combination:
Conservative treatment of spondylolisthesis includes drug therapy, kinesitherapy / LFK and stabilization of the lumbar spine. These methods do not replace each other and should be used in combination:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and myorelaxants are necessary to reduce inflammation and pain syndrome and relax the muscles;
- physical therapy and kinesitherapy help to strengthen / relax the necessary muscle groups;
- special lumbar corsets / belts stabilize the lumbar spine and prevent progression of spondylolisthesis.
How to choose a lumbar belt for spondylolisthesis?
A lumbar belt should be flexible and at the same time rigid enough to stabilize this part of the spine. It is also desirable that it should be made of natural materials that ensure normal air exchange and do not irritate the skin.
These requirements are met by the Lauma Medical elastic postoperative back belt. It is made of:
There are 4 inserts in the back of the belt, which provide stability of the lumbar spine during movements and prevent further displacement of the vertebrae.
Doctors recommend wearing the elastic postoperative belt during physical activity (e.g., walking) or significant static loads (prolonged standing). In the acute period, it is used on average 2-4 hours a day, and then - as needed. However, it is important not to abuse such support for the lumbar region - it can weaken the muscles. That is why wearing the belt should be combined with physical therapy and kinesitherapy.
These requirements are met by the Lauma Medical elastic postoperative back belt. It is made of:
- cotton - 22%;
- polyamide - 23%;
- latex - 18%;
- PUE - 12%;
- PES - 24%.
There are 4 inserts in the back of the belt, which provide stability of the lumbar spine during movements and prevent further displacement of the vertebrae.
Doctors recommend wearing the elastic postoperative belt during physical activity (e.g., walking) or significant static loads (prolonged standing). In the acute period, it is used on average 2-4 hours a day, and then - as needed. However, it is important not to abuse such support for the lumbar region - it can weaken the muscles. That is why wearing the belt should be combined with physical therapy and kinesitherapy.
Lauma Medical elastic post-operative back belt is a reliable and comfortable aid for spondylolisthesis and instability of the lumbar spine
Lauma Medical elastic post-operative back belt is a reliable and comfortable aid for spondylolisthesis and instability of the lumbar spine