Osteochondropathy Scheuermann-Mau

The degenerative-dystrophic process in the bones of the spine is Scheuermann-Mau osteochondropathy. Most often, I diagnose it in childhood and adolescence of 11-18 years. The disease is characterized by damage to the bodies of the thoracic disks and vertebrae, the switching plates. The destruction of the bones takes place in the thoracic spine, and in some cases in its lumbar-thoracic region.

[1], [2], [3]

Causes of the osteochondropathy

The etiology of the disease has not been fully studied, but it has been established that it is affected by hard physical labor, increased physical exertion, injuries, and hormonal imbalance. There are several types of destruction of the body of the vertebrae and discs:

1. Kummel disease - inflammation of the vertebral body. Develops after suffering injuries.
2. Chondropathic kyphosis - inflammation of the muscles at the site of attachment to the vertebrae. It proceeds with the deformation of the vertebrae, due to which they acquire a wedge-shaped form and the thoracic section arches backwards.
3. Chondropathy - the destruction of the vertebra, one of the varieties of Calvet disease. Vertebrae expand and shrink in height. There is a protrusion of the spinous process, with his palpation there are severe pain.

Causes of death and destruction of bone tissue associated with the violation of its blood supply. Also, the disease occurs due to the action of such factors:

• Hereditary predisposition
• Infectious diseases.
• Congenital anomalies of the musculoskeletal system.
• High load on the spine and frequent micro injuries.
• Imbalance of calcium and vitamins, violation of their absorption.
• Hormonal disorders.

[4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10]

Symptoms of the osteochondropathy

All types of pathology are characterized by slow development. The main symptoms of the disease include:

• Muscular hypotonia.
• Rapid muscle fatigue.
• Asymmetry of the back muscles.
• Intense pain in the spine.
• Spinal deformity: flat back, change in the legs, funnel deformity of the sternum.
• Difficulty in tilting the body or head forward.

Diagnostics of the osteochondropathy

Diagnosis of spinal lesions is carried out on the basis of clinical symptoms, x-ray and laboratory results. The severity of the disease is determined by the number of Schmorl's hernias and the degree of severity of the vertebrae. Running forms occur with serious neurological abnormalities. 

[11], [12], [13], [14], [15]

Differential diagnosis

Also, when making a diagnosis, differentiation is carried out with compression fractures of the vertebral bodies, Calvet's disease, spondylosephysial dysplasia, congenital fibrosis of the Güntz disks fixed by Lindemann's round back.

[16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22]

Treatment of the osteochondropathy

The treatment is conservative. The first is the relief of pain and the restoration of spinal mobility, improving posture, preventing the development of osteochondrosis. Further measures are shown to correct the posture and restore the natural curvature of the spine. Physiotherapy and exercise therapy are aimed at improving the functions of the vertebrae and discs, body mobility when bending.

Prevention

To prevent the use of drugs that modify the structure of cartilage tissue, physiotherapy, physiotherapy, multivitamin complexes and iron supplements. Surgical treatment is carried out in case of severe fixed kyphosis. For the treatment using the method of wedge-shaped resection of the vertebrae or spinal osteotomy. With timely started treatment, the pathology has a favorable prognosis.

[23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30]