Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Degenerative changes are commonly found in spine imaging. Lumbar spine disc degenerative disease (DDD) has been proven to be the most common cause of low back pain which causes musculoskeletal disability. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows detailed assessment of all components of the lumbar spine and help in the assessment of abnormalities that may be associated with disc degeneration. The aim of the present study was to assess prevalence of disc degeneration in lumbar spine in young adults using MRI. Material and methods: The present retrospective study was planned in the Department of Orthopaedic in Nalanda Medical College & Hospital, Patna from August 2018 to July 2019 assess MRI of lumbar spine images of all patients presenting with chronic low back pain over the period of 1 year. 312 cases with age 19-25 years with DDD were included in the study. The protocol for scanning the lumbar spine using Basda - PI (2009) 0.35 Tesla MRI machine was used. Studies consisted of five spin echo pulse sequences. A slice thickness of 5 mm with 1 mm gap was used for all sequences. The MRI images were evaluated and the MRI findings were entered into a predesigned data sheet. Patient’s demographic data was also entered into the data sheet. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21 software. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: In the present study total males suffering from disc degeneration disease were 129 males and females were 183. In both males and females nerve root compression was prevalent. Disc herniation was common in males but in females disc degeneration was common. In age group 19-21 years disc herniation was common and in age group 22-24 years nerve root compression was common. L1/L2 was affected more in disc degeneration. L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5, L5/S1 were affected more in nerve root compression. Conclusion: Our study concluded that in both males and females nerve root compression was prevalent. In age group 19-21 years disc herniation was common and in age group 22-24 years nerve root compression was common. L1/L2 was affected more in disc degeneration. L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5, L5/S1 were affected more in nerve root compression. Keywords: MRI, disc degenerative disease, Lumbar spine.