[Diagnosis and treatment of paretic forms of lumbar osteochondrosis]

This study was based on the analysis of the results of examination and treatment of 85 patients with lumbar osteochondrosis with paretic disturbances. The degrees of neurological disorders were analyzed by distributing these patients into three groups including patients with monoradicular, polyradicular motor disorders and circulatory disturbances in the caudal portions of the spinal cord. The informative value of the performed techniques (X-ray study, MRI, myelography, myelography with computed tomography, electroneuromyography) and the necessity of their combination for increasing the quality of diagnosis were determined. Criteria for choosing this or that treatment were defined. Indications for surgery, the time of its performance, and its efficiency were investigated. Surgical outcomes were analyzed by the groups of patients. The paper shows it necessary to use metallic fixing devices in some cases in order to stabilize an altered segment degeneratively, which allows improve the outcome of a surgical intervention. Postoperative rehabilitative treatment is also outlined.