Primary prevention of disc degeneration-related symptoms.
BACKGROUND
It has been shown previously that a history of low back pain often begins in childhood or adulthood. Indeed, the prevalence of severe back symptoms among schoolchildren is not insignificant. Possibilities for the primary prevention of intervertebral disc degeneration-related conditions are poorly reported in the literature despite the assumed socio-economical impact of the prevention of these conditions.


METHODS
In this review, the authors have collated published data on the prevalence and risk factors of childhood low back pain as well as the structure and results of published primary prevention programs.


RESULTS
The prevalence of self-reported low back pain is 7-65% among children and it increases with age. Several lifestyle factors have been reported as significant risk factors for back pain, many of which are related to the schools. Current educational primary prevention programs in schools show no clear or long-term stable effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the growing evidence about the importance of normal and bad posture, an exercise-based posture correction program is suggested as a school-based primary prevention of disc degeneration-related symptoms. Further, prospective randomized studies with more than 20 years follow-up, however, are strongly required to confirm it.
National Center for Spinal Disorders, Buda Health Center, Kiralyhago u. 1-3., Budapest, 1126, Hungary, aron.lazary@bhc.hu.
Aron
A
Lazary
Zsolt
Z
Szövérfi
Julia
J
Szita
Annamária
A
Somhegyi
Michelle
M
Kümin
Peter Paul
PP
Varga
D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011187:Posture; D015995:Prevalence