WHAT IS IDD THERAPY: Understanding Back Pain
Low Bone Mass Related to Disc Deterioration

Osteoporosis and intervertebral disc degeneration (spondylosis) are the most common age-related conditions in the elderly population presenting with low-back pain. A study of 86 postmenopausal women examined the possible correlation between the two conditions by evaluating the association between bone mineral density and intervertebral disc function.

To determine bone mass, total-body bone mineral density, lumbar bone mineral density, and age-matched control values of bone mineral density were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. To evaluate intervertebral disc degeneration, the disc areas and disc bulge ratios (calculated by measuring the area protruding from lines connecting the middle points of the anterior and posterior borders of the vertebral bodies) were obtained from four discs using magnetic resonance images of the lumbar spine.

Both lumbar and total-body bone mineral density correlated poorly with disc area, yet positively with disc bulge, suggesting that low bone mass may be related to intervertebral disc degeneration. While the mechanism behind this relationship is unknown, these findings could serve as important clinical considerations in the management of degenerative spinal diseases and osteoporosis, particularly in older women.

Harada A, Okuizumi H, et al. Correlation between bone mineral density and intervertebral disc degeneration. Spine, April 1998;23(8), pp857-62.


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