Lumbar spine – syndrome or facet syndrome
The so-called facet syndrome is a degenerative disease of the facet joints. Together with the intervertebral discs, these form the connection between adjacent vertebral bodies. Characteristic of the pain that occurs in facet syndrome is an aggravation of the pain after loading or when bending back the upper body. The pain often radiates into the legs. In contrast, the lumbar spine syndrome often causes numbness or a changed sensation in the legs.
ICD 10
The GdB (degree of disability) depends on the patient’s disability. A careful examination and subsequent assessment by an orthopaedic surgeon or an accident surgeon must be carried out. If there is no restriction of movement or instability of the spinal column, this corresponds to a GdB of 0.
In the case of slight restrictions due to recurrent short spinal symptoms, this corresponds to 10, in the case of frequently recurring problems that last for several days, 20. If 2 spinal sections are affected, this corresponds to a GdB of 30 to 40, in the case of stiffening of large parts of the spinal column, 50 to 70. Values of 80 to 100 are reached in the case of the most severe loading problems up to and including inability to stand.
Therapy of a lumbar spine syndrome
Since the lumbar spine syndrome is a collection of different complaints in the lumbar spine area, a different therapeutic approach must be chosen depending on the origin of the pain. It is therefore particularly important that an exact anamnesis (collection of the medical history) is taken so that the cause of the pain can be narrowed down in the best possible way. The most common cause of the acute, suddenly occurring lumbar spine syndrome is a herniated disc (prolapse of the lumbar spine).
In the case of a slipped disc in the lumbar spine, the displaced disc presses on nerves in the spinal column, so that pain and paralysis can occur, which often radiate into the legs. If the herniated disc has just occurred, the first goal of the therapy is to reduce the patient’s pain. Already in this phase, the patient’s pain can be actively alleviated by certain physiotherapeutic positioning maneuvers, for example, by step positioning.
If the pain is more severe, an MRI scan of the lumbar spine of the back should be taken to determine where and how much the intervertebral disc is pressing on the nerves. If this cannot be treated by conservative therapy such as: not treatable, surgery for the herniated disc of the lumbar spine must be considered as a way out. In principle, however, surgery is only superior to conservative treatment methods if the patient already has symptoms of paralysis in the legs.
In addition to physiotherapy, warming bands or compresses can be applied. During the entire therapy it should always be ensured that the patient is as painless as possible by means of suitable medication with painkillers. In rare, particularly severe cases, the patient is advised to undergo an operation in which the adjacent vertebral bodies are stiffened (spondylodesis).
In order to prevent the future development of the lumbar spine syndrome, I should give the affected patient precise instructions from his doctor or physiotherapist regarding correct posture in everyday life as well as for sports or physiotherapeutic activities that spare the injured regions in the back and counteract renewed damage.
- Conservation
- Acupuncturoder
- Physiotherapy
The simplest treatment for the complaints of a lumbar spine syndrome consists of a change in posture and an optimization of certain movement sequences. It is especially important to ensure that you get down on your knees sufficiently when lifting objects. When raising from a lying position, care should be taken to unroll sideways to relieve the back.
It is also advisable to use a stepped position when sleeping, in which the legs are raised and the knees are bent at right angles, in order to relieve the discomfort. Walks can help to relax yourself and thus also loosen the muscles. Heat is also usually helpful for back pain.
It can be tried to relieve the pain of a lumbar spine syndrome with the help of homeopathic remedies. There are creams with active ingredients that can be applied to the painful area or globules can be taken. It is recommended to apply Rhus toxicodendron as a gel or take 5 globules 3 times a day.
Aconitum and Bryonia Colocynthis are also said to be helpful for pain in the lumbar spine. The application of kinesio tapes can alleviate the symptoms of a lumbar spine syndrome. One reason for this is that the tapes give the back more stability and posture is often improved by pulling the tapes.
On the other hand, the tapes cause friction between the skin and the underlying tissue as a result of the movement, which generates heat. Heat is particularly helpful in cases of muscular imbalances and relaxes the muscles. Four tapes are needed to tape the lumbar spine area.
The patient should sit slightly bent forward. The first strip is taped in the painful area under maximum tension along the spine. The second strip is stuck horizontally over the pain point so that the two tapes cross at the pain point. The other two strips are glued diagonally so that a star is created at the end. The tapes should curl up when erecting.
