How prevalent are lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings among young adults? To find out, researchers in Finland conducted MRIs on 325 women and 233 men between the ages of 20 and 22 years.The MRIs were evaluated for disc degeneration (DD), Modic changes, and presence of disc bulges, herniations, high intensity zone (HIZ) lesions, and radial tears.

Results revealed that “almost half of young Finnish adult aged 21 years had at least one degenerated disc, and a quarter had a bulging disc. Modic changes and disc herniations were, however, relatively rare.”

Spine – July 2009;34:1716-21.

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