Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in collegiate rowers

The aim of this study was to clarify the prevalence and distribution of disc degeneration in collegiate rowers and investigate the relationship between disc degeneration progression and low back pain (LBP). In this cross-sectional study, 68 collegiate rowers were evaluated for lumbar disc degeneration using the Pfirrmann classification based on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After 2 years, 20 participants underwent follow-up MRI. Injury surveillance to check LBP was conducted between the first examination and follow-up study. The relationship between symptoms and disc degeneration was investigated. Thirty-one (45.6%) rowers had disc degeneration: 48.8% of male rowers and 40.0% of female rowers. After 2 years, disc degeneration progression was observed in 5 (25%) rowers. During the 2 years, 6 rowers reported LBP. In the LBP group, disc degeneration progression was observed in 4 (66.7%) rowers. Significantly more participants in the LBP group than in the non-LBP group (7.1%) (p = 0.014) showed disc degeneration progression. The prevalence of disc degeneration among collegiate rowers was 45.6%, high at the level of the lower lumbar spine. Progression of lumbar disc degeneration was observed in significantly more LBP than non-LBP rowers during the longitudinal study.