• Hong Ren, Nan Lin, Peng Zhao, Huizhi Han, Hui Zhao, Lianxiang Xiao, Mimi Tian, and Xiangtao Lin.
• Department of Medical Imaging, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, China.
• Eur Spine J. 2024 Jul 8.

PurposeTo evaluate the influence of vertebral and disc wedging on the contribution of lumbar lordosis and the change of disc thickness before and after walking based on MRI.MethodsCross-sectional study. A total of 96 normally developing children, aged 5.7 ± 3.0 years old, 55 boys and 41 girls. They were divided into 3 groups: Pre-walking group, Walking group, and Post-walking group.Parameterslumbar lordosis Angle (LLA), the sum of the lumbar disc wedge Angle (∑D), the sum of the lumbar vertebral body wedge Angle (∑B), disc height (DH).Results(1) LLA, ∑D, ∑B, and DHL1-S1 were 33.2 ± 8.7°, 14.1 ± 8.6°, 11.9 ± 8.6°, and 6.9 ± 1.2 mm, 7.6 ± 1.4 mm, 8.2 ± 1.6 mm, 8.9 ± 1.7 mm, 8.5 ± 1.8 mm. (2) The difference in LLA values between the Pre-walking and the Post-walking group was statistically significant. DH were significantly different among the three groups. (3) In the Post-walking group, LLA value of girls was significantly higher than that of boys, and DHL3 - 4 and DHL4 - 5 values of girls were significantly lower than that of boys. (4) Age had a low positive correlation with LLA and ∑D and a moderate to strong positive correlation with DH; LLA showed a moderate positive correlation with ∑D, and a low positive correlation with ∑B and DH.ConclusionAge and walking activity are the influencing factors of lumbar lordosis and disc thickening. Walking activity can significantly increase lumbar lordosis, and age is the main factor promoting lumbar disc thickening. DHL4-5 was the thickest lumbar intervertebral disc with the fastest intergroup thickening. Disc wedging contributes more to lumbar lordosis than vertebral wedging.© 2024. The Author(s).

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