CERVICAL AND LUMBAR MRI IN ASYMPTOMATIC OLDER MALE LIFELONG ATHLETES - FREQUENCY OF DEGENERATIVE FINDINGS

Objective: The athletic activity of the adult U.S. population has incr eased markedly in the last 20 years. To evaluate the possible long-ter m effects of such activity on the cervical and lumbar spine, we studie d a group of asymptomatic currently very active lifelong male athletes over age 40 (41-69 years old, av. age 53). Materials and Methods: Nin eteen active, lifelong male athletes were studied with MRI and the res ults compared with previous imaging studies of other populations. An a thletic history and a spine history were also taken. Results: Evidence of asymptomatic degenerative spine disease was similar to that seen i n published series of other populations. Degenerative changes includin g disk protrusion and herniation, spondylosis, and spinal stenosis wer e present and increased in incidence with increasing patient age. In t his group, all MRI findings proved to be asymptomatic and did not limi t athletic activity. Conclusion: The incidence of lumbar degenerative changes in our study population of older male athletes was similar to those seen in other populations.