Different disc characteristics between young elite skiers with diverse training histories revealed with a novel quantitative magnetic resonance imaging method

Abstract Purpose To evaluate if there are differences in thoraco-lumbar disc characteristics between elite skiers and non-athletic controls as well as between different types of elite skiers, with diverse training histories, using a novel quantitative MRI method. Methods The thoraco-lumbar spine of 58 elite skiers (age = 18.2 ± 1.1 years, 30 males) and 26 normally active controls (age = 16.4 ± 0.6 years, 9 males) was examined using T2w-MRI. Disc characteristics were compared quantitatively between groups using histogram and regional image analyses to determine delta peak and T2-values in five sub-regions. Results A statistical difference in the delta peak value was found between skiers and controls (p <0.001), reflecting higher degree of disc degeneration. The histogram analysis also revealed that the type of training determines where and to what extent the changes occur. Alpine skiers displayed lumbar changes, while mogul skiers displayed changes also in the thoracic spine. Alpine skiers with diverse training dose differed in delta peak value (p = 0.005), where skiers with highest training dose displayed less changes. Regional T2-value differences were found in skiers with divergent training histories (p <0.05), reflecting differences in disc degeneration patterns, foremost within the dorsal annulus. Conclusion Differences in quantitative disc characteristics were found not only between elite skiers and non-athletic controls but also between subgroups of elite skiers with diverse training histories. The differences in the disc measures, reflecting tissue degradation, are likely related to type and intensity of the physical training. Future studies are encouraged to explore the relation between disc functionality, training history and pain to establish adequate prevention and rehabilitation programs.

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Lumbar Disc Degeneration

Acta Radiologica ◽

10.3109/02841859009173095 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 31 (6) ◽

pp. 551-554

Author(s):

O. Tervonen ◽

S. Lahde ◽

J. Rydberg

Keyword(s):

Disc Degeneration ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Lumbar Disc Degeneration

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of GDF5 single-nucleotide polymorphism rs143383 is associated with lumbar disc degeneration in Northern European women.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.724435369.8399057 ◽

2011 ◽

Author(s):

Ingrid Meulenbelt ◽

Steffan Daniel Bos

Keyword(s):

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism ◽

Disc Degeneration ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Lumbar Disc Degeneration ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphism ◽

Single Nucleotide ◽

Northern European ◽

European Women

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INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION LINKED TO STRUCTURAL GENE VARIATIONS

Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry ◽

10.36283/pjmd8-4/012 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Saeeda Baig

Keyword(s):

Intervertebral Disc ◽

Disc Degeneration ◽

Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽

English Language ◽

Tandem Repeats ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Disease Process ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Structural Protein ◽

Lumbar Disc Degeneration

During the recent past focus has shifted from identifying intervertebral disc degeneration as being caused by physical exposure and strain to being linked with a variety of genetic variations. The objective of this review is to provide an up to date review of the existing research data regarding the relation of intervertebral disc degeneration to structural protein genes and their polymorphisms and thus help clearly establish further avenues where research into causation and treatment is needed. A comprehensive search using the keywords “Collagen”, “COL”, “Aggrecan”, “AGC”, “IVDD”, “intervertebral disc degeneration”, and “lumbar disc degeneration” from PubMed and Google Scholar, where literature in the English language was selected spanning from 1991 to 2019. There are many genes involved in the production of structural components of an intervertebral disc. The issues in production of these components involve the over-expression or under-expression of their genes, and single nucleotide polymorphisms and variable number of tandem repeats affecting their structures. These structural genes include primarily the collagen and the aggrecan genes. While genetic and environmental factors all come into play with a disease process like disc degeneration, the bulk of research now shows the significantly larger impact of hereditary over exposure. While further research is needed into some of the lesser studied genes linked to IVDD and also the racial variations in genetic makeup, the focus in the near future should be on establishment of genetic testing to identify individuals at greater risk of disease and deliberation regarding the use of gene therapy to prevent disc degeneration.

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Effect of Shentongzhuyu Decoction on p38MAPK Signal Pathway in Annulus Fibrosus Cells of Model Rats with Lumbar Disc Degeneration

Rehabilitation Medicine ◽

10.3724/sp.j.1329.2015.04022 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 22

Author(s):

Sha CHEN ◽

Shizhong WANG ◽

Dewan DENG

Keyword(s):

Disc Degeneration ◽

Annulus Fibrosus ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Signal Pathway ◽

Lumbar Disc Degeneration

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Segmental lordosis gain is a prognostic radiological factor of good functional outcome after the implantation of a single-level prosthesis or a hybrid construct for lumbar disc degeneration

World Neurosurgery ◽

10.1016/j.wneu.2021.06.005 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

N. Serratrice ◽

A. Gennari ◽

S.J. Yuh ◽

Y. Sabah ◽

A. Gavotto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

Disc Degeneration ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Lumbar Disc Degeneration ◽

Single Level ◽

Good Functional Outcome ◽

Hybrid Construct ◽

Segmental Lordosis

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Grading lumbar disc degeneration: a comparison between low- and high-field MRI

Acta Radiologica ◽

10.1177/0284185119842472 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 60 (12) ◽

pp. 1636-1642 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bjarke B Hansen ◽

Urszula M Ciochon ◽

Charlotte R Trampedach ◽

Anders F Christensen ◽

Zoreh Rasti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disc Degeneration ◽

High Field ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Lumbar Disc Degeneration ◽

High Field Mri

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The impact and distinction of ‘lipid healthy but obese’ and ‘lipid abnormal but not obese’ phenotypes on lumbar disc degeneration in Chinese

Journal of Translational Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12967-020-02382-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sheng Shi ◽

Zhi Zhou ◽

Jun-Jun Liao ◽

Yue-Hua Yang ◽

Jun-Song Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disc Degeneration ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Lumbar Disc Degeneration ◽

The Impact

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Association between Measures of Vertebral Endplate Morphology and Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal ◽

10.1016/j.carj.2016.11.002 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 210-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Semra Duran ◽

Mehtap Cavusoglu ◽

Hatice Gul Hatipoglu ◽

Deniz Sozmen Cılız ◽

Bulent Sakman

Keyword(s):

Intervertebral Disc ◽

Disc Degeneration ◽

Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Lumbar Disc Degeneration ◽

Vertebral Endplate ◽

Lumbar Intervertebral Disc ◽

Sagittal Diameter ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Vertebral Endplates

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between vertebral endplate morphology and the degree of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods In total, 150 patients who met the inclusion criteria and were 20–60 years of age were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were evaluated for the presence of intervertebral disc degeneration or herniation, and the degree of degeneration was assessed at all lumbar levels. Vertebral endplate morphology was evaluated based on the endplate sagittal diameter, endplate sagittal concave angle (ECA), and endplate sagittal concave depth (ECD) on sagittal MRI. The association between intervertebral disc degeneration or herniation and endplate morphological measurements was analysed. Results In MRI, superior endplates ( ie, inferior endplates of the superior vertebra) were concave and inferior endplates ( ie, superior endplates of the inferior vertebra) were flat at all disc levels. A decrease in ECD and an increase in ECA were detected at all lumbar levels as disc degeneration increased ( P < .05). At the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels, a decrease in ECD and an increase in ECA were detected in the group with herniated lumbar discs ( P < .05). There was no association between lumbar disc degeneration or herniation and endplate sagittal diameter at lumbar intervertebral levels ( P > .05). At all levels, ECD of women was significantly lesser than that of men and ECA of women was significantly greater than that of men ( P < .05). Conclusions There is an association between vertebral endplate morphology and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration. Vertebral endplates at the degenerated disc level become flat; the severity of this flattening is correlated with the degree of disc degeneration.

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