Anterior Limbus Vertebra and Intervertebral Disk Degeneration in Japanese Collegiate Gymnasts

BACKGROUND Magnetic 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. HYPOTHESIS A significant relationship exists between IDD and ALV in Japanese collegiate gymnasts. STUDY DESIGN Case-control study. METHODS A 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. RESULTS The 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). CONCLUSION In Japanese collegiate gymnasts, ALV is a predictor of IDD, especially in the upper lumbar region. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Information regarding ALV is important to prevent IDD in Japanese collegiate gymnasts.