A cross-sectional prevalence study of lumbar disc degeneration in a working population.
The prevalence of lumbar degenerative discs (LDD) was determined in 38 ambulating and 21 sedentary employees of a Rocky Mountain company. Lumbar degenerative discs were identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed with a sagittal T2 image of the lumbar spine using a .5 Tesla unit. The L5-S1 level was the most common disc with degenerative changes. Analysis of the two groups showed a significant association at the L5-S1 level between occupation and LDD, as evidenced by the ambulating females having no degenerative lumbar discs and sedentary females having a large number of degenerative discs. The males in the study did not demonstrate a significant difference in prevalence of LDD. Lumbar degenerative discs may be increased in less active females at the L5-S1 level.
Colorado Back School, Littleton 80120-9998.
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D000328:Adult; D003120:Colorado; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations