Here we will define age-related changes in the spine of adults, as they say, osteochondrosis.

It is well-known that in common parlance patients usually associate the term “osteochondrosis” with the great diversity of age violations of the spine that is known in medicine. The time, old injuries and bad habits accelerate the aging process. However, the latest diagnostic tests and methods of treatment used in good rehabilitation centres, help to cope with many problems of patients, regardless of age.

There are several diseases that can lead to back pain in the aging spine. There are such key ones as degeneration of the disc (so called degeneration, deterioration of tissues, low back pain), spinal stenosis (that is to say, narrowing of the spinal canal) and spondylolisthesis (as they say, displacement of the vertebrae relatively to each other).

The spine is aging just like any other part of the body. Aging reduces the quality of life and people take it for granted. But this process does not obviously accompanied by pain and modern medicine is able to provide it. The first step in addressing of aging spine is to realize that this process begins to limit daily activity. Then, you need to diagnose the problem (perhaps with the use of MRI, CT etc.). Then you can build a strategy for its treatment and prevention. You have to understand that there is practically no age limits for treatment modern medicine.

Degenerative changes of discs or osteoarthritis of the spine (we speak about osteochondrosis here) is one of the most frequent violations. The spine consists of bones, vertebrae, chondroid discs, joints and tendons. The aging process leads to loss of moisture (that is drying) of tendons tissues and cartilage, loss of elasticity, thinning, inability to withstand mechanical stress. Disc degeneration (that is to say, osteochondrosis) is a normal process and it is not a problem. The problem occurs, when the disks are deformed and press down on surrounding spinal roots or spinal cord. The treatment plan is based on reducing of the pressure on the nerves by non-invasive methods, although they take time. Such methods are used in these cases as physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, radiofrequency treatment, decompression of the discs, several types of therapy and early rehabilitation.

Another manifestation of degenerative changes of the spine (osteochondrosis) is a spinal stenosis. The disease manifests by narrowing channel embodying the spinal cord and its roots. Because of the narrowing, spinal cord compression signs develop, and not just a single root. After confirming of the diagnosis and determining of the degree of compression, the physician selects the treatment regimen including medication, physiotherapy and, possibly, surgery. Many problems are well solved by using of old therapy methods, for instance, anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy and injections, radiofrequency treatment.

Surgery is used when the use of these traditional methods mentioned above have failed. During the operation channel is being revealed and compressed nerves and spinal cord are being released. According to statistics, over 75 % of patients with severe spinal stenosis may feel better as a result of decompression.

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