M42.98: Spinal osteochondrosis, unspecified Sacral and sacrococcygeal region

You have bone or cartilage that has changed in your sacrum or your coccyx.

The spine consists of several sections. The cervical spine begins below the head. The cervical spine is very mobile. Below that is the thoracic spine. The ribs are attached to the thoracic spine. Below the thoracic spine is the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine is also very mobile and it bears a large part of the body’s weight. After the lumbar spine, the sacrum and coccyx join.

The spine is made up of the individual vertebrae. Between every 2 vertebrae there is a vertebral disc. Intervertebral discs consist of cartilage and connective tissue. Intervertebral discs connect neighboring vertebrae to one another and absorb pressure and shocks.

If bone and cartilage are changed already in childhood, there can be various reasons. It may be that the vertebrae do not ossify properly so that they become misshapen. If the shape of one or more vertebrae changes, spinal disks can change too. Vertebrae can also crumble. Exactly why vertebrae crumble is still unknown.

Wear and tear, aging and long-term strain can also result in the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae being damaged. Due to the damage, the disks are no longer cushioning the individual vertebrae so well. If the disks are no longer cushioning very well, the vertebrae may come under more pressure than usual. To compensate for the increased pressure, bony projections can form on the top and bottom of the vertebrae. Moreover, with this disorder the connections between the vertebrae and disks may loosen. The vertebrae may then move.

With this disorder, you may not initially have any discomfort. When the changes to the spine increase, they may get back pain. You may also find it more difficult than usual to move your spine.