The degenerative dystrophic diseases of the spine (DDDS) are among the most common afflictions of mankind. Taking into account the considerable part played in the pathogenesis of DDDS by overloading of the vertebral-motor segment because of the power of gravitation, the most promising method of treatment is gradual stretching of the spine.

We have studied the effectiveness of the training autogravitational device TRIN-1.1M ‘UTA’, the new traction apparatus (certificate of conformity No. 4834586). The dystrophic changes can appear at the age of 18-20 years and the most severe forms of DDDS, such as protrusions and hernias of the intervertebral discs and their clinical manifestations occur in the most active period of a person’s life – between the ages of 30 and 50.

The influence of the training apparatus on the body of the recumbent person is achieved by an undulating supportive surface, providing gradual stretching and creating an anatomically correct form and degree of curvature of the spine. This surface consists of transverse ribs installed elastically on longitudinal ribbons and inclined towards the head (above the waist) and towards the feet (below the waist). The head-rest with neck protuberance and a supportive surface for the legs are also stretching components of the apparatus. The shifting of these elements under the patient’s weight causes stretching axial effort, which via skin, connecting tissues and muscles, is transmitted to the spine, providing its longitudinal stretching. The strict relative dependence of the stretching effort on the weight of the individual patient excludes the possibility of complications in the stretching of the spine with help of ‘UTA’.

The construction of the training apparatus (elastic head-rest, angular position of the support surface, lumbar support, lath under buttocks) makes possible regulation of its elements so that they correspond to the maximum extent with the spinal curvature of the individual’s anthropometrical parameters.

The high degree of comfort of the patient’s position on the apparatus helps to promote reflex relaxation of the paravertebral muscles and increase the effectiveness of the procedure.

We studied the effectiveness of the use of ‘UTA’ in restoring the spinal column’s functional condition during the treatment of patients of both sexes aged from 12 to 68 years. Treatment was conducted every day for 30-35 minutes and 10-15 procedures were needed. Studied during the research were the patient’s subjective status (pain-discomfort on a 10-points register); anthropometrical characteristics, including the dynamic of the stretching against the background of treatment; the condition of the vegetative regulation of the organism (Kerdo index); static stability (the two-weights test); the mobility of the spinal column according to S. D. Migachev.

The treatment resulted in a genuine lessening of pain and discomfort. The effect of the treatment is directly connected with the number of procedures in inverse logarithmic dependence. The intensity of the complaints decreased twice in 4-5 days of treatment, and after 11-12 procedures the complaints disappeared almost completely. An objective indication of the success of the treatment was the increase in the patient’s height. Patients with osteochondrosis of the spinal column in the acute and less acute stages of the illness were divided into two groups: those without intervertebral hernias and those with hernia of the discs. A study of the dynamic of the effect of the treatment showed the obvious connection between its increasing effect and the number of procedures. Even one stretching led to a noticeable increase in height – in the first group 0.7cm and in the second 0.8cm. But by next day this increase practically disappeared, disclosing the instability of the effect of a single procedure of stretching. The effectiveness of using ‘UTA’ apparatus for reconstructing the spine’s functional condition was also studied. The dynamic of these indexes following 10 procedures differed noticeably in both groups, but after 10-15 procedures the index of increasing height compared with before treatment did not differ substantially in either group. This indicated the restoration of the functional condition of the spines of the patients studied. The evidence testifies to the need of a course of treatment to achieve a stable effect and prospective use of the height index for the purposes of prognosis. The regulation of the body’s static has been studied indirectly with the help of the two-weight test, the asymmetry of the loading testifying to disturbance of the static. During treatment the asymmetry naturally decreases, depending on the quantity of the procedures. This shows the positive reconstruction of stereotypical movement. This treatment helped to normalize the vegetative tonus for the majority of patients by the end of the course. After treatment the deviation from zero of the Kerdo index became less. The positive dynamic of the spinal column’s mobility was observed. Our experiments have shown the possibility of making effective use of the training apparatus following the necessary adjustment for patients ranging in weight from 38 to 124kg, and in height from 137 to 203cm.We consider in the light of our tests that the autogravitational training apparatus ‘UTA’ TRIN 1.1M is an effective prospective form of treatment and prophylactic for DDDS.

 
MZRF Information from the IV All-Russian Congress of Specialists in Medical Physical Culture and Sports Medicine. Page 238, Rostov-on-Don, 16-18 October, 2002.