Abstract

Background: India, with its vast human resource base and diverse cultures and religions, engages in numerous activities that require the spine to bend and twist, leading to increased disc degeneration and disc herniation compared to the West. The Indian healthcare system uses both contemporary and traditional medicines, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which can show physiological and pathological changes. However, this accessibility could potentially mislead less skilled healthcare providers and negatively affect a healthy person's mental state. Aim: Examine lumbar disc degeneration and herniation prevalence in asymptomatic Indian subjects by means of magnetic resonance imaging. Materials and Methods: In this observational study, participants without any low back-related complaints or indicators were chosen, and they were subjected to a 1.5 Tesla lumbar spine MRI screening. Results: A study of 380 discs with 76 participants found that 28.2% of them had pathological changes, including bulges (17.8%), protrusions (7.8%), and extrusions (2%). Of these, 71.8% were normal, and no subject experienced sequestration. Of the disc degeneration, 66.3% belonged to Grades 1 and 2, and 32.7% to Grades 3 through 5. Of the 76 participants, 33% had degeneration in Grades 3, 4, and 5, and 37% had disc herniation.

Description