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Age-dependent correlation of low-back pain and lumbar disc degeneration

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Abstract

The prevalence of lumbar disc degeneration in subjects suffering from low-back pain (n = 207; age range 10–49 years) and in age-matched asymptomatic controls (n = 216) was investigated by magnetic resonance imaging. The percentage of subjects with degenerated discs increased with age; starting from the age of 15 years, this increase was more rapid in subjects with low-back pain. Concurrently, the number of degenerated discs was higher in the pain group than in controls. Lumbar disc degeneration manifests earlier and in a greater percentage of subjects with low-back pain than in asymptomatic controls.

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Paajanen, H., Erkintalo, M., Parkkola, R. et al. Age-dependent correlation of low-back pain and lumbar disc degeneration. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 116, 106–107 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00434112

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00434112

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