[Nature and pathogenic significance of vertebral osteochondrosis]

On the basis of literary data the authors demonstrate that spinal osteochondrosis is due to aging changes in the biochemism and structure of intervertebral discs. Under the influence of such factors as physical, overtension, overcooling of the organism, osteochondrosis may acquire a pathogenic significance in the appearance of some diseases. This in its turn may be due to the development of supplementary processes in the discs and adjacent tissues. The authors discuss the insufficiently studied problem of overcooling of the organism in the development of sacro-lumbar radiculitis, underlining the facts of influence of overcooling on the hemodynamics and metabolism of the organism.