What medicines are indicated for a hernia of the spine

At the stage of protrusion of the intervertebral disc and with a small hernia, drug treatment is carried out, which is combined with physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises. The protrusion of the nucleus pulposus leads to compression of the roots and spinal cord, and this already gives symptoms typical of a hernia. The patient is worried about chronic pain, periodic backache, discomfort, a feeling of pressure and many other symptoms.

There are several ways to cope with such manifestations, but the most common and effective is the drug treatment of spinal hernia.

The main group of drugs for protrusion of the disc is NSAIDs, they simultaneously anesthetize and eliminate the inflammatory process. Additionally, muscle relaxants, hormonal drugs, chondroprotectors are prescribed, which must be taken during an exacerbation of the pathology.

Principles of treatment of spinal hernia

Conservative therapy for disc herniation includes the following activities:

• drug treatment of intervertebral hernia - drugs are prescribed to reduce pain, eliminate spasm, swelling, inflammation, this includes NSAIDs, analgesics, muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, vitamin and mineral complexes, chondroprotectors;
• physiotherapy procedures - electrophoresis is performed, drugs for the treatment of the spine have a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract, therefore many are injected through the skin, traction, physiotherapy exercises, and magnetotherapy are also prescribed;
• normalization of nutrition and elimination of negative factors affecting the spine - with such a diagnosis, patients need to reconsider the diet, add more vitamin food, the diet is also needed to reduce weight, because excess body weight causes increased stress on the diseased spine, aggravating and accelerating pathological processes;
• the return of normal function - this concerns the normalization of blood circulation, metabolic processes and movement, this is done through massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, blockades.

Degenerative changes in the spine occur slowly and imperceptibly, but at one moment the damaged intervertebral disc does not withstand and ruptures, which leads to the migration of the nucleus pulposus along the spinal canal.

 

No effective means and procedures can return the gelatinous body back, therefore all measures are aimed at preventing the formation of sequesters and compression of the spinal cord along with the nerve roots. Drugs for hernia of the spine can reduce the inflammatory process, normalize nutrition and reduce compression, but the main purpose of their use will be to eliminate unpleasant sensations, which grow stronger as the disease develops.

Medical therapy

For the treatment of intervertebral hernia, symptomatic and etiological drugs are prescribed. Each remedy is selected taking into account the clinical and radiological picture. Medications will be somewhat different for a hernia of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical, because the manifestations that need to be dealt with depend on the localization.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants remain unchanged in disc pathology. Chondroprotectors and their Chinese counterparts can also become part of the therapy, but their effectiveness has not been proven.

What medications can be used to treat spinal hernia:

1. Muscle relaxants.

With a vertebral hernia, muscle relaxants are always prescribed. These drugs have an analgesic effect, eliminate muscle spasm and inhibit spinal reflexes. The intake of relaxants enhances the effect of other medicines and procedures such as massage, manual therapy and physical education. Baclofen, Tizanidine and Tolperisone are more commonly prescribed.

Muscle relaxants are contraindicated in epilepsy, myasthenia gravis, during pregnancy, in case of hypersensitivity to drugs of this group and Parkinson's disease.

Adverse reactions: decrease in blood pressure, numbness of the skin, nausea, drowsiness, dyspepsia.

2. Analgesics.

Painkillers are taken for hernia in the form of tablets, injections, droppers, blockades are also prescribed. The drugs Tepmalgin, Baralgin and Pentalgin are more often indicated. Analgesics are weaker than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but drugs from different groups can alternate in order to avoid addiction.

Narcotic analgesics will be prescribed by a doctor for severe pain, which cannot be stopped by other means. It could be Tramadol.

3. Steroids.

Steroid drugs have an anti-inflammatory effect. They are inserted into the epidural space. Steroids are prescribed more often for intervertebral hernia in the region of the lumbosacral spine. The average course of therapy is 1-4 injections. Less commonly prescribed steroid drugs for intramuscular injection - drugs Diprospan, Prednisolone.

4. Biostimulants.

Extracts of aloe, placenta, gumizol are biological stimulants that help restore metabolism in a sore back area. Such hernia medications have an anti-inflammatory effect, the average course of therapy is 7-10 days.

5. Psychotropic drugs.

Each medicine for intervertebral hernia with prolonged use affects well-being, like the disease itself. Psychotropic drugs are prescribed in a short course, as they have many adverse reactions and contraindications. They help enhance the effect of analgesics, muscle relaxants and NSAIDs.

Psychotropics are available by prescription, the doctor may prescribe antidepressants (Prozac), tranquilizers (Diazepam) and antipsychotics (Aminazine).

NSAIDs

Inflammation, soreness, hyperemia are common manifestations of many diseases that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will help to cope with. With a herniated disc, they are needed to eliminate pain and inflammation. NSAIDs are prescribed for the treatment of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, always provided that there are no contraindications. Medicines are not prescribed for stomach ulcers and during pregnancy.

Natural anti-inflammatory agents will be raspberry branches and berries, infusions of calendula and chamomile.

Medical NSAIDs as the main active ingredient may contain ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, ketorolac, diclofenac, oxicam, acetylsalicylic acid.

You can treat a sick spine with a hernia with such medicines:

• Indomethacin, Metindol in the form of tablets and capsules;
• Voltaren, Diklak, Olfen in the form of capsules, tablets, injection solutions;
• Etodolac in the form of capsules;
• Zerodol, Aertal in the form of tablets;
• Piroxicam, Fedin-20 in the form of tablets.

In addition to NSAIDs in the form of capsules, the means of this group are prescribed for topical application - ointments, gels, patches (which can be ordered from China), compresses.

Ointments and gels for the back

Local remedies for hernia can be used at any stage of the disease. This form of drugs is the safest, has a small number of contraindications and rarely causes adverse reactions.

Effective ointments for the treatment of the spine:

1. Kapsikam is a locally irritating, analgesic, anti-inflammatory agent. It is applied 3-4 times with light rubbing, the average course is 7-10 days.
2. Nicoflex is a combined anti-inflammatory agent that has a vasodilating, resolving, analgesic effect. It is applied 3-4 times, with a course of 5-10 days.
3. Apizatron is a bee venom-based product that contains methyl salicylate and allyl isothiocyanate. Promotes pain relief, dilates blood vessels, improves metabolism, reduces muscle tone. It is used 2-4 times a day, after application, the back should be wrapped with something warm, it is better to rub the ointment at night.
4. Teraflex M - chondroprotective ointment, contains camphor, chondroitin sulfate, peppermint oil, glucosamine. It has a positive effect on cartilage tissue, reduces the sensitivity of pain receptors, improves blood circulation, relieves inflammation. It is applied to the back several times a day, the course of treatment is at least 14 days.
5. Ketoprofen - NSAID, ointment has antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The use is indicated for back pain, during the rehabilitation period after injury and surgery. Apply to the affected area in a thin layer in the morning and evening. Can be used for compresses.
6. Diclofenac - NSAID, indicated for pain relief, inflammation, after a spinal injury. It is used for 21 days, 2-3 times a day.

Chondroprotectors

Preparations based on chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are used in the pathology of the joints and spinal column. With a herniated disc, they are shown in the form of tablets and ointments, injections are less often prescribed. Chondroprotectors are slow-acting symptomatic agents . They affect cartilage and bone tissue, contributing to its regeneration and formation. Their effectiveness has not been proven, they do not give a visible result, but due to the anti-inflammatory action, they are prescribed to patients with spinal pathologies.

With a herniated disc, the following chondroprotectors can be prescribed:

• Teraflex - is used in the form of tablets and ointments, contains chondroitin and glucosamine, is prescribed simultaneously for oral and topical application;
• Structum - a drug in capsules based on chondroitin, is produced in a dosage of 250 and 500 mg by the French company Sotex, due to the high cost, an analogue of Russian production - Chondrolon is more often prescribed;
• Dona - in the form of a powder and a solution, contains glucosamine, is prescribed for a course of 2-3 months, is contraindicated in pathologies of the kidneys and liver;
• Elbona - injection solution, contains glucosamine, the course of treatment is from 3 to 6 months, 3 injections per week.

The most famous homeopathic remedies for the treatment of the spine are Traumeel C and Zeel T. Combined remedies, massage gels and folk remedies are also used for back pain relief.

During the period of remission of the disease, when there are no severe symptoms, treatment does not stop. To prevent exacerbation, you can use local anti-inflammatory drugs and regularly wear a supporting bandage.

Drug treatment cannot replace physical methods of influencing the spine and operations when a serious condition becomes an indication for the removal of sequesters and a damaged disc. Therapy must necessarily be combined with a change in diet, elimination of bad habits and daily exercises.