Predicting the Cross-sectional Areas of Low Back Intervertebral Discs: Archived Medical Record Versus MRI Scans from Asymptomatic Subjects

Abstract

Evidence suggests that biomechanical models should consider the variations in spinal geometry, particularly the geometry of the intervertebral discs (IVDs), to investigate the mechanism and pathogenesis of low back pain (LBP). Regression models, as a non-invasive and indirect method, have been developed using anthropometric variables to estimate the size of the IVDs, with two major sources of geometric data, archived medical record (AMR) from hospital database and samples of subjects asymptomatic of LBP (ASY). Unfortunately, there is a lack of comparison of model performance and validity between the two approaches. The objective of this study was to compare the two approaches of model development. Results from this study may help determine whether it is feasible and plausible to apply AMR-derived regression models to estimate the geometry of the low back IVDs and help develop more personalized workplace ergonomic assessments in industry.