Osteo-chondritis of the lumbar spine

Abstract

Osteo-chondritis of the thoracic spine is a fairly well recognized condition; often referred to as Scheuermann’s disease (adolescent kyphosis, vertebral epiphysitis). There is, however, a variety of this condition affecting the lumbar spine, described by Wiles 11949) and Haffner (1952). The importance of the condition is that it usually occurs in children between the ages of 12 and 17 years and may be mistaken for a more serious condition such as tuberculosis of the spine. The patient is usually a healthy boy who suddenly starts to complain of a lumbar backache. Quite often this may start after an athletic injury, or misguided attempts at toe touching with the knees extended in a child with tight hamstring muscles.