Trinity Medical Center I Dr. Marin Guentchev, MD, PhD

Baastrup syndrome

ANATOMY OF THE SPINE

The human spine is formed by individual vertebrae and connective tissue discs in between. The vertebrae form the spinal canal. There are seven cervical, twelve thoracic, and five lumbar vertebrae. The intervertebral discs are the link between the individual vertebral bodies.
Normal anatomy of the spine. Longitudinal section and cross sections through the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.
The little joints that link the vertebrae together are known as facet joints. They help to stabilize the spine and, together with the intervertebral discs, allow a certain degree of mobility of the spinal cord. The spinal canal should be wide enough to allow nerve roots to float freely in cerebrospinal fluid. The front border of the spinal canal is built by the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs, the side by the intervertebral joints (facets) and back by the ligamentum flavum (yellow band) and vertebral arches. Discs consist of an outer fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus), which surrounds an inner gel-like center (nucleus pulposus). The spinal cord and nerve roots lie within the spinal canal. The spinal cord extends downwards approx. to the 1st lumbar vertebra. Below, only nerve roots are present in the spinal canal. At the level of the intervertebral disc the nerve roots pass through the neural root foramina to exit the spinal canal. The spinal cord and nerve roots conduct electric-like signals from the skin and joints to the brain, and process of movement is initiated from the brain to the muscles.

DESCRIPTION

Baastrup’s syndrome, is characterized by degenerative changes of neighboring spinous processes, often due to lack of physiological distance between them, resulting in constant iritation. It affects most commonly the lumbar area of the spine, but it has also been reported in the cervical spine.
Baastrup syndrome
Baastrup syndrome

CAUSE OF SYMPTOMS

Chronic iritation of the spinous processes in the lumbar spine

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

Midline backpain

THE DIAGNOSIS IS BASED ON

Medical history Clinical exam
additionally you may have to do:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Computer tomography Radiographs

TREATMENT

Treatment is usually non-surgical.
Non-surgical treatment may include
Physiotherapy Physical exercise
Strengthening the back muscles
Treatment with heat (Fango) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Corticosteroids

The condition is treated by medical spetialists in the field of:

Adress
Trinity Medical Center
117 Zaichar St /Ground floor/
/Konstantin Velichkov Metro Station/
BG-1309 Sofia, Bulgaria
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