Radiologically detectable lumbar disc degeneration in concrete reinforcement workers.

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Abstract
A total of 295 male Finnish concrete reinforcement workers, aged 19 to 64 years and engaged in heavy physical work including prolonged stopping, were radiologically examined by antero-posterior and lateral views of the lumbar spine while they were standing. The findings of lumbar disc degeneration were classified as none, slight, moderate or severe. The prevalence and degree of radiologically detectable lumbar disc degeneration depended strongly on age and increased especially rapidly from 40 to 44 yr on. Lumbar disc degeneration showed an age-independent association to both a history of lumbago (.chi.2 = 10.5, P < 0.01) and a history of sciatica fatigue, ache and sharp pain in the back during an ordinary workday, no statistically significant associations were found, while disc generation was found to be slightly more common (.chi.2 = 4.6, P < 0.05) in the men reporting back symptoms as they bent down than in the men who did not report such symptoms. No association between length of exposure to static and dynamic back loads in reinforcement work and the prevalence of lumbar disc degeneration could be established, but definite conclusions on the possible effect of reinforcement work on the lumbar spine could not be drawn.

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