Osteochondrosis of the L3-S1 and marked spondylosis of the lumbar spine

The x-ray of the lumbar spine in frontal projection, the patient performed 82 years, who were examined before surgical treatment of kidney disease.

Description radiologist: on submitted radiographs visualized the decrease of height of intervertebral discs at levels L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 with a wedge-shaped narrowing gap in the segment of L5-S1. In the projection of the lateral parts of the vertebral bodies can be traced "thorn" and "Samoobrona" osteophytes.

Conclusion: radiological signs of degenerative disc disease L3-S1, pronounced spondylosis of the lumbar spine.

Some explanations. Identified by x-ray study of gross change of the spinal column are an incidental finding. Despite the advanced age of the patient, they did not lead to lumbalgia and radicular syndrome.

using conventional radiography cannot detect a hernia of the spine, but with the big share of probability it is possible to speak about presence of protrusions of the disk of the patient.

This clinical picture supports the theory ligamentous etiology of vertebral lumbodynia (see the article "the Real reasons thoracalgia") and refutes the notion that the basis of spinal pain is the pinching of spinal nerves in the holes or interarticular region of the spinal cord.

A Confirmation of this fact is that people without complications can lift heavy loads and do physical activity.

some patients with severe pain in the lower back, radiating to the perineum, lower extremities and gluteal region, on the x-ray is not detected changes and even MRI finds no pathology.

The Information confirms the need for more thorough studies of the causes of vertebrogenic cervicalgia, thoracalgia, lumbodynia and sacralgia.