The Influence of Schmorl Nodes in Spinal Sagittal Balance in Young Adults

. 2022 Jul 22;57(5):815-820.


doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1744501.


eCollection 2022 Oct.

Affiliations

Item in Clipboard

Joana Gomes da Silva et al.


Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo).


.

Abstract

Objectives The present study aims to characterize the spinal balance (SB) in young adults with Schmorl nodes (SN). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 47 young adults. Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to divide the patients into an SN group and a control group. Standing full spine radiographs were used to compare the spinopelvic SB parameters between groups: sagittal vertical axis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS). Results The LL and SS values were significantly lower in patients with SN when compared with the control group (54.5° versus 64.3°; 36.2° versus 41.4°, respectively). No significant differences were observed for the other parameters. Significant correlations were found in both groups between LL and SS; PI and PT; and PI and SS. Conclusions Young adults with SN have associated SB modifications, particularly lower LL and SS values, when compared with a control group. This flatter profile resembles that observed in patients with lower back pain and early disc pathology. We believe that SNs are relevant clinical findings that should prompt the study of the SB of a patient, as it may uncover variations associated with early disc degeneration. Level of Evidence III.


Keywords:

lordosis; lumbar vertebrae; spinal fusion; young adult.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflito de Interesses Os autores não têm conflitos de interesse a declarar.

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on vk
VK
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Close Menu