The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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The spine is an anatomically complex system with numerous degrees of freedom. Due to this anatomical complexity, it is likely that multiple motor control options exist to complete a given task. ⋯ Future work needs to identify whether the motor patterns characterized with this work are driven by distinct neuromuscular activation patterns, and if each given pattern has a varied risk for low back injury.
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Pfirrmann grading can be used to assess intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). There is growing evidence that IVDD is not simply a structural disorder but also involves changes to the substructural characteristics of the disc. Whether Pfirrmann grade can accurately represent these micro-nano environmental changes remains unclear. ⋯ Our study found that the Pfirrmann grading system combined with intervertebral disc micro-nano structural changes more comprehensively reflected the extent of disc degeneration. These data may help improve our understanding of the pathogenesis and process of clinical disc degeneration.