In simple words: Spinal osteochondrosis is a condition where the cushioning discs between the bones in your spine wear down. This can cause back and neck pain, sometimes spreading to your arms or legs. Doctors diagnose it using exams and imaging tests (like X-rays or MRI). Treatment may involve pain relief medication, physical therapy, or surgery.

Spinal osteochondrosis is a chronic degenerative-dystrophic disease primarily affecting the intervertebral discs and secondarily other parts of the spine, musculoskeletal system, and nervous system.It's characterized by the degeneration and deterioration of the intervertebral discs, the cushioning structures between vertebrae. This degeneration can cause instability, spinal degeneration, and sclerosis.Symptoms can include back and neck pain, sometimes radiating to the arms and legs, numbness, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, and other neurological symptoms. Diagnosis involves patient history, physical and neurological exams, and imaging studies like X-rays, MRI, and myelography. Treatment may include pain management, physical therapy, and surgery.

Example 1: A 50-year-old male patient presents with chronic lower back pain radiating down his right leg.Physical examination reveals limited range of motion and positive straight leg raise test. MRI confirms degenerative changes in the L4-L5 disc consistent with spinal osteochondrosis.The physician prescribes physical therapy, NSAIDs, and muscle relaxants., A 65-year-old female patient experiences severe neck pain and numbness in her left arm. Neurological examination reveals diminished reflexes in the left upper extremity.X-rays and MRI demonstrate significant cervical spondylosis and osteochondrosis.The patient undergoes cervical spine surgery to address the compression on the nerve roots., A 30-year-old athlete reports persistent low back pain after a recent weightlifting injury. Physical examination and imaging reveal a small herniated disc at L5-S1 along with signs of spinal osteochondrosis.Conservative management with physical therapy, core strengthening exercises, and pain medication is implemented.

Detailed patient history including onset, duration, character, and location of pain; results of physical and neurological examinations; imaging reports (X-rays, MRI, myelography); treatment plan including medication prescribed, physical therapy regimen, and any surgical procedures performed; progress notes documenting the patient's response to treatment.

** Further sub-classification of spinal osteochondrosis may be possible depending on the specific location (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) and associated complications (e.g., radiculopathy, myelopathy).