Introducing a new risk factor for lumbar disc herniation in females: Vertical angle of the sacral curvature

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the importance of the vertical angle of the sacral curvature (VASC) in lumbar disc herniations. Methods: Morphological data derived from lumbar sagittal MRI imaging. The statistical significance of the findings are discussed. The angles of 60 female patients with lumbar disc herniations (LDH) were compared with the 34 female patients without LDH. Results: 128 of the 185 patients met our inclusion criteria. The vertical angle of sacral curvature is statistically significantly bigger in females with lumbar disc herniations when compared to subjects in control group, 28.32 and 25.4, respectively. (p=0.034<0.05). Same difference was not seen in males. Conclusion: The vertical angle of sagittal sacral curvature may be another risk factor in females with lumbar disc herniations.