Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis Diagnosis: clear overview, key topics, and practical navigation to related guides.

Spinal ligament injuries: radiographic signs

Radiographic signs of damage to the ligamentous apparatus of the spine are proposed, allowing specialists to focus their attention on morphological abnormalities and compare them with clinical manifestations of injury.

Lumbosacral Osteochondrosis: Diagnosis and Red Flags

Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs in osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine, accompanied by various neurological symptoms, are almost always accompanied by disturbances in the normal statics and biomechanics of the spine, which is especially evident in the lumbosacral region.

Thoracic osteochondrosis: diagnosis and differential search

Although a patient may complain of pain in a specific area of the back, it is always important to examine the mobility of both sections of the spine—the thoracic and lumbar—because: specific disorders may manifest as a decrease in range of motion in a certain direction; symptoms in one section may be a manifestation of a disorder in another (for example, thoracic kyphosis exacerbates lumbar lordosis).

Cervical osteochondrosis: diagnosis and criteria

Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include an acute onset of pain and an increase in pain with active neck movements and with the induction of the intervertebral foramen phenomenon (Sterling's phenomenon). Forced passive head tilt toward the affected nerve root leads to an exacerbation of pain. This phenomenon is caused by a decrease in the diameter of the intervertebral foramen, resulting in additional nerve root compression.

Osteochondrosis: General examination and neurological tests

A general examination is conducted according to a specific plan: first, the patient's general condition is assessed based on their state of consciousness, the overall appearance of their physique, height, body type, posture, and gait. Then, the skin, subcutaneous tissue, lymph nodes, torso, extremities, and muscular system are examined sequentially.

Osteochondrosis: Questioning and Initial Examination by a Doctor

Clinical and functional examination of patients with spinal diseases is based on general research principles accepted in medicine: collection of anamnestic data, examination, palpation, and determination of the nature and extent of motor function impairment.

Osteochondrosis: X-ray diagnostics and findings

In recent years, the role of radiographic examination in spinal osteochondrosis has significantly increased. It is undertaken primarily to determine the potential secondary effects of changes in the spinal segment on the spinal cord, nerve roots, and blood vessels, as well as to rule out primary bone changes and lesions of various etiologies (developmental anomalies, tumors, etc.).

Statics and dynamics: visual criteria of the musculoskeletal system

Visual diagnostics is one of the methods used to identify visible criteria of musculoskeletal disorders, the degree of their severity, variability under the influence of irrational physical activity during physical education and sports, as well as therapeutic measures (during the recovery period).

Osteochondrosis: Diagnosis of the Muscular System

During an external examination, the degree and uniformity of muscle development and its definition are noted. Muscle development is assessed as good, satisfactory, or weak.

Osteochondrosis: Diagnosis by the condition of the limbs

When examining the limbs, it is recommended to first determine significant changes that impair the function of the entire limb, then move on to an external examination of the affected area and finish the examination by studying changes in the upper and lower segments, while noting the condition of the muscles and the nature of compensatory changes.