Analysis of the effects of alterations of anthropometric characteristics of the spinal canal and intervertebral disc that affect lumbar pain in patient with LDH

Aim: We aim to identify the anatomical changes, of the anatomical relevant region on the spinal canal, lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral disc to determine the causes of pain in patient with lumbar disc herniation. Methods: The heights of vertebral body and intervertebral disc, anterior-posterior transverse diameters of disc herniation and sagittal-transverse diameters of spinal canal were measured on the T2-weighted axial and sagittal MRI. Measured values, gender, age and visual analogue scale (VAS) value were statistically compared in two groups and in two genders. Results: A significant difference was found between the sagittal diameters of spinal canals of the two groups (p<0.001), while a significant difference was not found between genders (p=0.45). As for the relationships between the disc herniation diameters and VAS, it was determined that anterior-posterior diameters were statistically more significant in the increase of pain (p<0.001). Conclusion: We determined that LDH did not always coexist with spinal stenosis because patients with only LDH have mentioned a high value of VAS. Furthermore, by selecting only patient with L4-L5 LDH level we put forward that anatomic structures surrounding the disc herniation were not affected by the intervertebral disc degeneration. Furthermore sagittal diameter of spinal canal and anterior-posterior length of herniation were significant in the increase of pain in cases with LDH due to the risk of the dural sac remaining under central pressure.