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Diagnoses and symptoms

Wear and tear of the spine

Age and various external factors are often responsible for wear and tear of the spine. An orthosis can relieve the back in everyday life or support it after an operation.

Summary

Causes, symptoms and treatment

Wear and tear of the spine develops over a longer period of time. The degeneration process often begins in the area of the intervertebral discs. Severe strain and advanced age are the main causes for wear and tear on the vertebral segments.

Indication

Indication

Considerable wear and tear with degradation of the vertebral segment structures and their function is referred to as degenerative spine disease.

Causes

Causes

The causes are mainly related to age and other external factors. Years of heavy physical work, for example, can lead to changes in the spine that are indicative of wear and tear. A person’s individual predisposition, sports and their intensity, smoking and obesity influence wear and tear as well. Pain and discomfort can develop gradually over the course of years.
The 24 vertebrae making up the human spine and the intervertebral discs between them are divided into three sections: The cervical spine (seven vertebral bodies), the thoracic spine (12 vertebral bodies) and the lumbar spine (five vertebral bodies). The vertebral segment forms the smallest functional unit of the spine. It consists of the intervertebral disc with the adjacent vertebral bodies, the respective vertebral joints and the corresponding ligament structures. The fourth section, the sacrum, consists of segments that have ossified.


Initial signs of degeneration usually occur in the area of the intervertebral disc. Since the intervertebral disc is not supplied directly by vessels, but indirectly by diffusion, maintaining it depends on genetic and external factors. Increased strain on the spine, for example, due to increased physical work, sitting activities that are not compensated for, inappropriate biomechanical stresses or congenital malpositions, may mean that the continuous supply of nutrients to the intervertebral disc cannot be maintained. The ability of the intervertebral disc to retain water declines as a result. The height of the intervertebral disc decreases as a result.


The reduction in the intervertebral disc height leads to instability of the spine that gradually increases, and the function of nerves may be restricted as well. The body first helps itself by attempting to stabilise the spine through the increased formation of vertebral body bones. This is unsuccessful in many cases, leading to wear and tear of the small vertebral joints. These degenerative changes, either individually or in combination, lead to pain and/or a loss of function in the areas supplied by the segments.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis

Degeneration of the spine is diagnosed by the doctor after taking a detailed medical history and assessing the findings, often with the support of imaging procedures.

Symptoms

Symptoms

The symptoms of degenerative spine disease usually develop over an extended period of time and are manifested by spreading or acute pain. The mobility of the back is reduced, and an inflammatory reaction in the vertebral joints is common. Sensation and/or motor functions can also be disturbed, occasionally to the extent that the individual has abnormal skin sensations and signs of paralysis due to constriction of the branching nerve cords. The severity of the limitations varies, ranging from a minor impairment of fine motor functions to complete, flaccid paralysis of certain muscle groups. Bladder and rectal control are reduced in rare cases.
The spinal canal may become constricted with increasing age due to years of wear and tear as well as thickening of the joints. This may be manifested in what are known as osteophytes and ossification in the area of the spine. This can lead to the ankylosis of vertebral joints due to bone growth on the joint caused by wear and tear.

Therapy

Therapy

Depending on the degree of severity, therapy is initially conservative and takes the form of physiotherapy and orthoses. Medications are administered in many cases.
An operation is considered where there is a loss of motor function and/or sensation.
Spinal orthoses are used in conservative therapy to relieve the affected area of the back as well as in post-operative follow-up treatment.
The illustrated products represent treatment examples. Many different factors determine whether a product is actually suitable for you and whether you are capable of taking full advantage of the functionality of the product. Key aspects include your physical condition, fitness and a detailed medical examination. Your doctor or O&P professional will also decide which treatment is best suited to you. We’re here to support you.

Back to everyday activities: three steps to an Ottobock orthosis

  1. Here you’ll find an overview of all the orthoses and supports that could potentially help you. Take the list with you to your next doctor’s appointment.
  2. Talk to your doctor about which orthosis is best suited to your symptoms and condition. Your doctor can then write you a prescription for the appropriate orthosis.
  3. Take your prescription to a medical supply company. They’ll give you your new orthosis and adjust it to fit your exact body measurements.