European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the MRI findings in young adult patients presenting with low back pain suggestive of degenerative lumbar spine disease.
Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Radio-Diagnosis of Pacific Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study and written informed consent were obtained before the start of the procedure. Bio-data, Clinical detail and level of physical activity were obtained and recorded.
Results: Of the 100 patients (52 males and 48 females; age range 18 to 39 years, median [IQR] 33 [14-23]) who were evaluated, 80 (80%) [42 males and 38 females] were found to have lumbar spine diseases. Fifty-six (56%) patients had gradual onset of pain whereas 44 (44%) had sudden onset; 82 (82%) patients had severe pain and most of which were burning in nature (n = 74, 74%). Majority of the patients had radiating pains (n = 62, 62%) that was frequently aggravated by bending down (n = 43, 43%) and alleviated by lying down (n = 90, 90%). The median duration of pain was 4 weeks, with a minimum duration of 1 week and maximum of 14 weeks.
Conclusion: Pain lasting more than 10 weeks is the most common clinical presentation among patients with LBP. Disc protrusion and disc desiccation are the most common findings in patients who present with severe LBP of acute onset in this study. LBP which is radiating in nature is the most common finding in patients with disc protrusion in this study.