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Back pain constitutes one of the major medico-social problems of healthcare. The development of a unified approach to the diagnosis and treatment of back pain is hindered since it is difficult to assess the various approaches to its treatment, especially its chronic forms. Yet recent data witnessing the important role of the neuroinflammatory process in the pathogenesis of the degenerative forms of discopathy suggest that the traditional treatment approach, which includes physical therapy exercises and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and myorelaxants, could be enhanced by using drugs characterized by slow structure-modifying action on the structure of the cartilaginous tissue of intervertebral discs and joints. Given the intelligent use of manual therapy, needle reflex therapy, kinesiotherapy, as well as modification of psychosocial factors that pre-determine the yellow flag phenomenon, the application of sustained-release symptomatic drugs increases the efficacy of therapy and prevents subsequent pain episodes. As of today, a placebo-controlled study has proven the action of Alflutop, which can be administered both intramuscularly and paravertebrally. This approach not only improves the patients’ condition but also reduces the burden associated with chronic back pain problems for the society.

Back pain (BP) is a major public health problem worldwide with high prevalence and disability. In most cases are associated with degenerative spinal disease (degenerative disc disease, DDD), myofascial syndrome, facet joint syndrome, spinal spondylosis, scoliotic deformation, sacroilial joint dysfunction, lumbar stenosis and other causes. The article describes the basics of the doctor’s approach to the diagnosis of back pain, describes the main strategies of patients routing. The algorithm proposed here includes detection of dangerous conditions, verification of inflammatory rhythm of BP according to criteria ASAS 2009, revealing of persistent phenotype of the lower back pain, stratifying patients for the risk of chronic lower back pain StarT Back in mechanical rhythm; multidisciplinary approach with inclusion of the rheumatologist in specialists team, and after initial consultation the therapist gives direction to the rheumatologist, if necessary. A therapist who treats a patient with persistent BS and a high risk of chronization without symptoms of “red flags” should prescribe an magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. The detection of total lesion of the vertebral motor segments in the case of severe back pain is the basis for the diagnosis of spinal osteoarthritis and subsequent prescription of non-medicamentous and pharmacological therapy, including SYSADOA, in particular Alflutop. The developed algorithm allows to quickly diagnose spinal osteoarthritis at a young age and to suspect axial spondylitis. Presented triad of MR-traits associated with persistent phenotype pain, which will help the therapist to establish the diagnosis of spinal osteoarthritis. The algorithm clearly describes the routing of patients to related specialists (rheumatologist, neurologist, etc.) according to the identified data.

The new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is associated with a wide spectrum of various clinical manifestations including involvement of the musculoskeletal system which can persist for a long time after the infection. Supposedly, pathogenesis of musculoskeletal manifestations of COVID-19 is primarily caused by systemic inflammation accompanied by cytokine hyperexpression (interferon γ, interleukins 1β, 6, 8, 17, tumor necrosis factor α), as well as hypoxia leading to overproduction of inflammatory cytokines, activation of bone reabsorption by osteoclasts and subsequent decrease of mineral bone density and osteonecrosis in some cases. Additionally, some drugs prescribed to patients with COVID-19 (some antiviral drugs and glucocorticoids) should also be taken into account as they can lead to development of musculoskeletal pathology. In the acute period of COVID-19, myalgias are common, but in rare cases myositis with proximal muscular weakness and increased levels of creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase can occur. Arthralgias in the acute period of COVID-19 are rarer than myalgias. In the studies of clinical manifestation of COVID-19, frequency of arthralgias and myalgias in the acute period is between 15.5 and 50 %. After COVID-19, frequency of arthralgias and myalgias gradually decreases, however there are cases of long-term joint and muscle pains, as well as post-viral arthritis, development of arthritis in the context of various autoimmune disorders. Myalgias and arthralgias during COVID-19 usually regress spontaneously and in most patients do not require prescription of antipain medications, but in some cases pain management is necessary. Use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and vitamin D during COVID-19 is a safe and effective method of pain management, including myalgia and arthralgia. Rehabilitation programs play an important role in improvement of functional state and patient recovery after moderate and severe COVID-19.