Lumbar spine disorder – the new occupational disease

Czech version

Authors: E. Ehler ^1,2; M. Nakládalová ³; M. Heřman ^4,5; P. Urban ⁶
Authors‘ workplace: Neurologická klinika Pardubické, nemocnice ¹; Fakulta zdravotnických studií, Univerzita Pardubice ²; Klinika pracovního lékařství, FN Olomouc a LF UP v Olomouci ³; Radiologická klinika, LF UP a FN Olomouc ⁴; Ústav zobrazovacích metod, FZV UP v Olomouci ⁵; Státní zdravotní ústav, Praha ⁶
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2022; 85(5): 351-362
Category: Minimonography
doi: https://doi.org/10.48095/cccsnn2022351

Overview

Minimonography describes the algorithm of the assessment and acknowledgment of the new occupational disease: “chronic lumbar spine disorder caused by heavy physical work,” focusing on the role of a neurologist in this process. The new item has been added to the List of Occupational Diseases by Government Regulation No. 506/2021 Coll. From January 1st, 2023, the illness can be acknowledged and compensated as an occupational disease. However, the necessary prerequisite is the fulfillment of strict assessment standards, which include both clinical and hygienic criteria. The neurologist plays a partial, but significant role in the assessment whether the criteria have been met. Neurologist does not decide whether it is or it is not an occupational disease. Neurologist´s role is to judge if the patient’s disease corresponds to the diagnosis in question, i.e., the chronic lumbar spine disorder having the form of Low Back Pain with and/or without a radicular syndrome. Making the differential diagnosis, neurologist has to rule out other significant causes of the patient’s difficulties. Using seven defined parameters of the neurological examination, neurologist rates the severity of the disease and decides whether it reaches the required degree with respect to the patient’s age. Only if the neurological criteria are met, the acknowledgment of the occupational disease comes into consideration. This is a necessary condition – but it is still inadequate.

Keywords:

neurological examination – MRI – occupational diseases – low back pain – lumbar spine disorder – radicular syndrome – EMG

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