The Relationship Between Lumbar Disk Height, Degenerative Changes of Lumbar Spine and chief complaint of patient

Abstract

Back pain has been one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases and in recent years due to the industrialization of countries and wrong lifestyle, the prevalence of LBP has increased significantly. Considering that the first step in examining patients with chronic back pain is without a simple AP and Lat radiculopathy, in this study we decided to investigate the relationship between the height of the lumbar intervertebral disc and the findings of degenerative changes in the lumbar vertebrae (various forms It) with MRI and the patient's complaint. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz between 2017 and 2022. The statistical population of this study is 110 people and among the patients with back pain who have been subjected to radiological examination by back MRI after referral. Three central, posterior and anterior measurements for the disc space between the L4-L5 and L5-S1 vertebrae were performed by two radiologists using a picture archive communication system (PACS) and compared with the degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and the patient's main complaint. Results: In patients who had complaints of radicular pain and paraesthesia, the disc height was significantly lower in all 6 measurements. Also, the intervertebral disc height had a significant difference in disc dehydration with different intensities. In the herniated disc group, disc height was significantly lower in all measurements. Disc height in mild and moderate bulging had significant differences in all measurements, but there was no significant difference in moderate and severe bulging. There was a significant difference between the absence of stenosis and the presence of stenosis, and there was no significant difference between different severities.