What is osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis (degenerative disc disease, DDD) is a complex of dystrophic changes in intervertebral discs, in which the disc loses moisture, elasticity, and height, leading to instability of the spinal segment, pain syndrome, and neurological disorders.

This is the most common spine disorder. According to various data, degenerative disc changes are found in 40% of people by age 30 and in 90% by age 50-55. Osteochondrosis is the primary cause of herniated discs, protrusions, and spinal stenosis.

Spinal regions:

  • Cervical osteochondrosis (C3-C7) — headaches, dizziness, neck and arm pain
  • Thoracic osteochondrosis (Th1-Th12) — intercostal neuralgia, chest pain
  • Lumbar osteochondrosis (L1-S1) — low back pain, sciatica, leg pain

Stages of disc degeneration:

  • Dehydration — loss of moisture in the nucleus pulposus, reduction in disc height
  • Instability — weakening of the annulus fibrosus, pathological mobility
  • Protrusion/herniation — bulging or extrusion of disc contents
  • Fibrosis — replacement of disc tissues with scar tissue, ankylosis

Facts about osteochondrosis

  • ICD-10: M42
  • Prevalence: 90% of people over 50 years
  • #1 cause: back pain in working-age population
  • Disability: 2nd place among all diseases
  • Complications: herniations, stenosis, radiculopathy

Causes of osteochondrosis

The intervertebral disc is the only structure in the human body that lacks its own blood vessels. Disc nutrition occurs exclusively through diffusion — the seepage of nutrients from surrounding tissues during spinal movement. Any factor disrupting this process triggers degeneration.

Main Causes

  • Sedentary lifestyle — disrupts diffusion of nutrients into the disc
  • Age-related changes — natural loss of water and elasticity
  • Excessive loads — microtrauma to the annulus fibrosus during heavy labor
  • Poor posture — uneven load distribution on discs
  • Spinal injuries — accelerate degeneration of damaged segments

Risk Factors

  • Genetics — hereditary predisposition to early degeneration
  • Smoking — impairs microcirculation around discs
  • Obesity — increased load on the lumbar spine
  • Vibration — occupational hazard (drivers, construction workers)
  • Metabolic disorders — diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism

Why Pills Don't Help

  • Painkillers (NSAIDs) mask pain but do not restore the disc
  • Chondroprotectors do not reach the disc due to lack of blood supply
  • Physical therapy improves nutrition but cannot regenerate a destroyed disc
  • Regenerative treatment delivers stem cells and growth factors directly into the disc

Symptoms of Osteochondrosis

Cervical Spine

  • Pain and stiffness in the neck
  • Headaches (cervicogenic)
  • Dizziness, tinnitus
  • Pain and numbness in the arms
  • Impaired concentration
  • Vertebral artery syndrome

Lumbar Spine

  • Constant aching pain in the lower back
  • Acute lumbago
  • Leg pain when walking
  • Stiffness after sleep
  • Muscle tension (defensive spasm)
  • Sensory disturbances

Complications

  • Herniated intervertebral discs
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Radiculopathy (radicular syndrome)
  • Myelopathy (cervical)
  • Organ dysfunction

How Regenerative Methods Treat Osteochondrosis

01

Comprehensive Diagnostics

Full spine MRI is analyzed by the Navigation system system. All damaged discs are identified, the degree of degeneration of each, presence of herniations, protrusions, and stenosis. An individual treatment plan is developed.

02

Obtaining Concentrates

CGF — concentrate of growth factors stimulating regeneration — is obtained from the patient's blood. MFAT with mesenchymal stem cells capable of restoring disc cartilage tissue is obtained from adipose tissue.

03

Intradiscal Injection

Under 3D navigation control, concentrates are injected directly into each damaged disc — into the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus. Paravertebral tissues and facet joints are also treated.

04

Disc Regeneration

Stem cells begin to restore disc structure: rehydration of the nucleus pulposus, strengthening of the annulus fibrosus, restoration of disc height. The process takes 3-6 months with visible improvement on follow-up MRI.

Why Regenerative Treatment Is Effective for Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is the only disease in which the damaged organ (disc) lacks blood supply. This is why pills, intramuscular injections, and even intravenous drugs do not reach the disc. Regenerative treatment solves this problem directly — regenerative concentrates are injected directly into the disc.

What Happens Inside the Disc After regenerative treatment:

  1. Mesenchymal stem cells (MFAT) differentiate into chondrocyte-like cells — the main "builders" of the disc's cartilage tissue
  2. Growth factors (CGF) stimulate the production of proteoglycans and type II collagen — the main components of the disc matrix
  3. Rehydration — restoration of the nucleus pulposus's ability to retain water, which increases disc height
  4. Strengthening of the annulus fibrosus — healing of micro-cracks, prevention of herniations
  5. Anti-inflammatory effect — reduction of chronic inflammation that accelerates degeneration

Key advantage: Regenerative treatment is a method that targets the cause of osteochondrosis (disc degeneration), not its consequences (pain, herniations, stenosis). At the same time, all damaged discs — from the cervical to the lumbar spine — can be treated in one procedure.

Regenerative treatment for Osteochondrosis

  • Intradiscal injection — directly into the damaged disc
  • All discs at once — from neck to lumbar
  • Rehydration — restoration of disc height
  • Herniation prevention — strengthening of the annulus fibrosus
  • Without general anesthesia — local anesthesia
  • Any age — no restrictions

Regenerative method Advantages

A broad range of indications

Regenerative methods are used for many orthopaedic and spinal conditions. Some cases still call for surgery.

No anesthesia or incisions

Outpatient treatment via 0.3-1.5 mm puncture. No general anesthesia or hospitalization.

No age restrictions

Regeneration at any age. Safe for chronic conditions and anesthesia intolerance.

Rapid improvement

Concentrates have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Relief within days.

Multiple zones at once

Simultaneous treatment of multiple discs or joints in one procedure.

Home the same day

No crutches, braces or rehabilitation needed. MRI follow-up at 8-16 weeks.

Regenerative treatment Technology

Navigation system for minimally invasive access

Navigation system

Intraoperative robotic navigation system. Provides precise access to deep structures with 1 mm and 1 degree accuracy.

Ultrasound guidance during the procedure

Ultrasound guidance

Device for intervention under sonographic control. Eliminates open surgeries with real-time visual monitoring.

More about technologies →

Frequently Asked Questions About Osteochondrosis Treatment

Can intervertebral discs be restored?
Yes. Until recently, disc degeneration was considered irreversible. A regenerative method has proven that injecting autologous stem cells and growth factors directly into the disc initiates its restoration process — increase in height, rehydration of the nucleus pulposus, strengthening of the annulus fibrosus. This is confirmed by follow-up MRI scans.
How many discs can be treated in one procedure?
Regenerative treatment allows treating all damaged discs in one procedure — from the cervical to the lumbar spine. This is a unique advantage of the method: classical surgery allows operating on a maximum of 1-2 levels at a time. In osteochondrosis, where multiple discs are usually affected, this is critically important.
Will regenerative treatment help with chronic osteochondrosis?
Yes. Even with long-standing osteochondrosis with pronounced degenerative changes, regenerative methods can initiate regeneration processes and significantly reduce pain syndrome. The earlier treatment begins, the better the result, but improvement is possible at any stage — including Pfirrmann grades III and IV.
How does regenerative treatment differ from chondroprotectors?
Chondroprotectors (glucosamine, chondroitin) are taken orally and must reach the disc via the bloodstream. But the disc has no blood vessels — therefore, the effectiveness of chondroprotectors in osteochondrosis is extremely limited. Regenerative treatment delivers stem cells and growth factors directly into the disc, bypassing the systemic bloodstream. This ensures maximum concentration of regenerative substances at the site of damage.
Does regenerative treatment prevent herniation formation?
Yes. Osteochondrosis is the main cause of herniation formation: the weakened fibrous ring cannot withstand the load and tears. Regenerative treatment strengthens the fibrous ring, restores its structure and elasticity, which significantly reduces the risk of future herniations. This is essentially preventive treatment.
How quickly does pain go away with osteochondrosis?
Regenerative concentrates have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Most patients note a reduction in pain within several days. Restoration of disc structure continues for 3-6 months with progressive improvement. Follow-up MRI after 8-16 weeks shows the degree of regeneration.
Is special preparation required before the procedure?
No special preparation is required. Current MRI scans (not older than 3 months) and standard blood tests are needed. It is recommended to stop taking blood-thinning medications 5-7 days before the procedure (in consultation with the treating physician). The procedure is performed outpatient, and the patient returns home the same day.

Other Spine Conditions

Herniated Disc → Spinal Stenosis → Spondylolisthesis → Sciatica → Facet Syndrome → Failed Back Surgery Syndrome →

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