• Koji Koyama, Koichi Nakazato, Seok-Ki Min, Koji Gushiken, Yoshiaki Hatakeda, Kyoko Seo, and Kenji Hiranuma.
• Department of Judotherapy, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan. ; Graduate School of Health and Sport Science, Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo, Japan.
• Orthop J Sports Med. 2013 Aug 1; 1 (3): 2325967113500222.

BackgroundMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have shown that gymnasts have a high prevalence of radiological abnormalities, such as intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD) and anterior limbus vertebra (ALV). These 2 abnormalities may coexist at the same spinal level. However, the relationship between IDD and ALV remains unclear.HypothesisA significant relationship exists between IDD and ALV in Japanese collegiate gymnasts.Study DesignCase-control study.MethodsA total of 104 Japanese collegiate gymnasts (70 men and 34 women; age, 19.7 ± 1.0 years) with 11.8 ± 3.6 years of sporting experience participated. T1- and T2-weighted MRIs were used to evaluate ALV and IDD.ResultsThe prevalence among the gymnasts of IDD and ALV was 40.4% (42/104) and 20.2% (21/104), respectively. The prevalence of IDD was significantly higher in gymnasts with ALV than those without ALV, as determined using the chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between IDD and ALV (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 6.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.14-20.35). IDD was further grouped by whether it was present in the upper lumbar region (L1-2, L2-3, and L3-4 disks) or in the lower lumbar region (L4-5 and L5-S1 disks). Upper IDD had a greater association with ALV (adjusted OR, 33.17; 95% CI, 7.09-155.25) than did lower IDD (adjusted OR, 6.71; 95% CI, 1.57-28.73).ConclusionIn Japanese collegiate gymnasts, ALV is a predictor of IDD, especially in the upper lumbar region.Clinical RelevanceInformation regarding ALV is important to prevent IDD in Japanese collegiate gymnasts.

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