Analysis of clinical and structural changes in working-age population with lumbar spine osteochondrosis

Aim. To assess clinical and anatomical preconditions for relapsing course of lumbar spine osteochondrosis. Material and methods. 71 patients of working age with lumbar spine osteochondrosis were examined. Clinical manifestations, neurological status and magnetic resonance imaging of lumbar spine were analyzed. The analysis took into account gender characteristics and age subgroup. Results. Damage of L3L4 segment was registered in 17 cases (in 3 women and 14 men predominantly of 2 and 3 age subgroup), however all of them had combined character: 9 protrusions (average size - 2.6 ± 0.6 mm) and 8 hernias (average size - 5.6 ± 4.3 mm). Damage of L4L5 segment either isolated or combined is registered in 47 cases out of 71 (in 8 women and 39 men predominantly of 2 and 3 age subgroup): 15 protrusions (average size - 2.9 ± 1.0 mm) and 32 hernias (average size - 6.2 ± 1.8 mm). Damage of L5S1 segment - in 55 cases out of 71 (in 10 women and 45 men predominantly of 2 and 3 age subgroup): 15 protrusions (average size - 2.4 ± 0.8 mm) and 40 hernias (average size - 7.4 ± 2.8 mm). Conclusion. There was a lack of dependence between degenerative changes in L3L4, L4L5, L5S1 segments and age and gender. Statistically significant correlation between degree of spine degenerative changes and severity of clinical manifestations was found.