Osteochondrosis is a condition caused by wear of the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebrae, due to severe overstrain. The intervertebral disc is located between two vertebrae, acting as a ligament that holds the vertebrae together, but also as a shock absorber for the spine.

With the passage of time, the worn intervertebral discs can no longer regenerate and remain in the compressed position. Due to pressure, bone growths (bone spurs) may also develop, which can cause pain and severely restrict the mobility of the spine.

Osteochondrosis can occur anywhere in the spine: cervical, thoracic or lumbar.

The intervertebral disc is formed on the outside of a fibrous ring and on the inside of a pulpous nucleus. The fibrous ring contains several layers of fibro-cartilage made up of collagen that gives it a higher resistance. The pulposus nucleus, on the inside of the disc, helps to evenly distribute the pressure on the disc and acts as a shock absorber, absorbing the impact of demanding activities and keeps the vertebrae separated from each other.

There is a disc between each pair of vertebrae, except for the first 2 cervical vertebrae called atlas and axis.
Thus, there are 23 discs in the spine, 6 in the neck region (cervical spine), 12 in the middle back region (thoracic spine) and 5 in the lower back region (lumbar spine).

The main cause is excessive pressure on the intervertebral discs, leading in time to their wear, but also a decrease in blood flow to the affected areas.

The risk factors that lead to wear of the intervertebral discs are:

➢ intense physical effort, either during the practice of a sport or at the workplace (as it happens in constructions)
➢ lifting and transporting heavy objects
➢ herniated anterior disc or fractured vertebrae
➢ infections of the intervertebral disc
➢ deviations of the spine (for instance, scoliosis)
➢ overweight
➢ metabolic diseases (for instance, diabetes)

The main symptom is back pain, especially in the morning when waking up or after a period of standing or walking.

Osteochondrosis localized in the cervical spine, manifests with cervical pain, which, however, can also irradiate in the arms and fingers.

Osteochondrosis localized at the lumbar level is manifested with low back pain, which can also irradiate in the buttocks and lower limbs.

Osteochondrosis can also be associated with a herniated disc, cervical or lumbar, manifesting with pain, tingling or in the arms and legs.

In the acute phases, the treatment of pain is a priority, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs being recommended, together with muscle relaxants. Corticorsteroid injections (stronger anti-inflammatories), administered locally to the affected area are indicated in the case of very severe and persistent back pain.

Bed rest for a few days protects the affected area and helps reduce pain. The body should be given time to recover.

The recovery program through physical therapy helps both in the muscle stress relief, as a result of the vicious posture of the back, through stretching exercises, as well as in increasing the strength of the paravertebral and abdominal muscles, through toning exercises (strengthening). A toned muscle provides better support to the spine, preventing the appearance of relapses or other injuries.

➢ Maintain a correct posture of the back during the time spent at the office, avoiding the inclination of the head and neck forward, in order not to overburden the cervical spine.

➢ Physical exercises will be regularly practiced, both for toning the paravertebral muscles and the abdominal muscles to provide good support to the spine

➢ In case of obesity, it is recommended to lose excess kilos, to avoid excessive pressure on the lumbar spine.