Relationship between lumbar lordosis and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in young soldiers

Objective To analyze the relationship between lumbar lordosis(LL) and intervertebral disc degeneration in young soldiers. Methods From January 2016 to January 2019, radiographic and clinical data about 120 young soldiers and officers with low back pain were collected, and the imaging data of X-ray and MRI of lumbar spine were collected through PACS film system. The lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration was measured with Pfirrmann classification of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration scale, and the lumbar lordosis angle was measured with Surgimap software. Comparison of lumbar lordosis angle among different groups,including different disc degeneration grade groups, lumbar disc herniation group(LDH) versus non-lumbar disc herniation group(N-LDH), was performed. Results Of the 120 cases, the average LL was 42.99°±10.48°. The LL in disc degeneration grade Ⅰ, grade Ⅱ, grade Ⅲ, grade Ⅳ subgroups were 46.00°±8.44°, 45.36°±11.45°, 41.43°±8.94°, 40.88°±12.16°, respectively, without significant difference(P=0.176). However, there was significant difference between Ⅰ-Ⅱ group and Ⅲ-Ⅳ group in average LL(45.53°±10.66° vs 41.24°±10.06°, P=0.026). Of the 120 soldiers, 71(59.17%) cases had lumbar disc herniation with 65(91.45%) cases at L4-5/L5 S1. There was significant difference between LDH group and N-LDH group in average LL(41.38°±10.96 °vs 45.33°±9.36°, P=0.042). Conclusion The lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration and LDH are probably associated with the decrease of LL in the young soldiers.