title: Sagittal balance parameters correlate with spinal conformational type and MRI changes in lumbar degenerative disc disease: results of a retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spinopelvic parameters can be useful in identifying risk factors for lumbar degenerative disc disease, but few studies assess patients with single-level disc herniation and most do not evaluate symptoms. This comparative retrospective study was aimed to analyse spinopelvic parameters, symptoms and MRI changes in patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation undergoing conservative or surgical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with clinical and radiological assessment (Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score) and an MRI evaluation of the lumbar spine were identified and divided into two groups: surgically treated (group A) and not requiring surgery (group B). Spinopelvic parameters were determined on standing profile radiographs of the lumbar spine and pelvis, and mean values were compared to those reported in the literature for normal subjects. MRI findings were graded according to the system described by Pfirrmann et al.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 71 patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation: 26 in group A (39.4 ± 12.1 years) and 45 in group B (51.4 ± 17.2 years). The notable differences in spinopelvic parameter means between the two groups did not reach statistical significance. A positive correlations of age with pelvic tilt and Pfirrmann changes with pelvic incidence was only found in group A, while both groups showed highly significant positive correlations of pelvic incidence with the spine's conformational type (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Characteristic changes in spinopelvic parameters identified in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease were a reduction in pelvic incidence, sacral slope and lumbar lordosis, with an increased pelvic tilt. These were found to correlate with MRI changes in surgically treated patients.
authors: Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology II, Pius Brînzeu Emergency County Hospital Timișoara, 156 Liviu Rebreanu Boulevard, 300723, Timisoara, Romania.
authors: Mihai
authors: M
authors: Mardare
authors: Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology II, Pius Brînzeu Emergency County Hospital Timișoara, 156 Liviu Rebreanu Boulevard, 300723, Timisoara, Romania.
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Oprea
authors: Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology II, Pius Brînzeu Emergency County Hospital Timișoara, 156 Liviu Rebreanu Boulevard, 300723, Timisoara, Romania.
authors: Iulian
authors: I
authors: Popa
authors: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tîrgu Mureș, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu, 540139, Tirgu Mures, Romania.
authors: Ancuța
authors: A
authors: Zazgyva
authors: Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology I, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 19-21 Ștefan cel Mare Road, 020125, Bucharest, Romania. mariusniculescu.ortoped@gmail.com.|Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University, 22 Dâmbovnicului, 040441, Sector 4, Bucharest, Romania. mariusniculescu.ortoped@gmail.com.
authors: Marius
authors: M
authors: Niculescu
authors: Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology II, Pius Brînzeu Emergency County Hospital Timișoara, 156 Liviu Rebreanu Boulevard, 300723, Timisoara, Romania.
authors: Dan V
authors: DV
authors: Poenaru
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Lumbar degenerative disc disease; MRI changes; Pelvic sagittal balance; Roussouly classification