Alcaptonúria (ocronose)

Abstract

Ochronosis, alkaptonuric clinical presentation in connective tissues, often runs with severe disc degeneration. In these patients, symptoms and clinical signs of disc degeneration usually are not as prominent as might be expected from the extent of disease observed on X-ray, and discectomy is rarely needed. We report a case of disc herniation in an ochronotic patient with left L5 radiculopathy, with symptoms and clinical signs not responsive to 4-month physical therapy. Discectomy was performed, with sustained good results after a 26-month follow-up.