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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 1/2018

Open Access 01-01-2018 | Spine

Disc degeneration on MRI is more prevalent in young elite skiers compared to controls

Authors: Wisam A. Witwit, Peter Kovac, Anna Sward, Cecilia Agnvall, Carl Todd, Olof Thoreson, Hanna Hebelka, Adad Baranto

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Purpose

Evidence-based facts regarding spine abnormalities and back pain are needed in order to develop rehabilitation programs and prevent spine injuries in young skiers. The aim therefore is to identify MRI changes in the thoraco-lumbar spine and the lifetime prevalence of back pain, as well as the association between them, in young skiers compared to non-athletes.

Methods

Seventy-five young elite alpine and mogul skiers, age range 16–20 years, were compared with 27 non-athletic controls. All subjects underwent spinal MRI and answered back pain questionnaires.

Results

Fifty-six percent of skiers had at least one disc Pfirrmann grade ≥3 compared to 30% of controls (p = 0.027). Schmorl’s nodes (46%) and disc height reduction (37%) were significantly more prevalent in skiers compared to controls (0%) (p < 0.001). When all parameters were combined together, skiers had significantly higher rate of radiological changes than controls, 82% compared to 54% (p = 0.007). The mean number of discs with Pfirrmann grade ≥3 was 1.1 per individual in skiers (median 1, range 0–6) versus 0.6 in controls (median 0, range 0–3). There was no significant difference in lifetime prevalence of back pain between skiers (50%) and controls (44%) (n.s.). MRI abnormalities in skiers did not correlate with lifetime prevalence of back pain. Skiers had a better health perception than controls (p = 0.026).

Conclusion

Alpine skiers have more degenerative disc changes compared to non-athletes, but these changes do not correlate with the lifetime prevalence of back pain. Lifetime prevalence of back pain is not significantly different between the groups; however, skiers report more severe pain on VAS score.

Level of evidence

II.
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Metadata
Title
Disc degeneration on MRI is more prevalent in young elite skiers compared to controls
Authors
Wisam A. Witwit
Peter Kovac
Anna Sward
Cecilia Agnvall
Carl Todd
Olof Thoreson
Hanna Hebelka
Adad Baranto
Publication date
01-01-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-017-4545-3

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