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Correspondence to Author: Claudia Alejandra Martinez Rodriguez MD, Andres Tlacaelel Balderas Chairez MD and Miguel Angel Rivas Garcia MD. 

Hospital General: Ciudad Victoria, Durango, Mexico. Email: [email protected] (or) [email protected]

DOI: 10.52338/tjoa.2025.5276

Abstract:

Background: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common cause of low back pain (LBP) and disability in adults, often requiring advanced imaging for diagnosis. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for assessing intervertebral disc pathology, few epidemiological studies have described its prevalence in Mexican populations
Objective: To determine the prevalence and radiological characteristics of lumbar disc herniations in adult patients with LBP undergoing MRI at General Hospital 450, Durango, Mexico, during 2024.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study including electronic medical records and MRI reports of adult patients with LBP. Sociodemographic variables and imaging findings were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were applied to estimate prevalence and disc involvement patterns.
Results:A total of 320 patients were included (63.4% women, mean age 51.2 years). Disc herniation was identified in 32.5% of cases, most frequently as protrusions (27.5%) and less commonly as extrusions (5.0%). Single-level involvement predominated (82.7%), with L4–L5 being the most affected segment (37.7%), followed by L5–S1 (27.0%). Disc bulging was present in 57.7% of cases, and advanced degeneration (Pfirrmann grade IV) was the most frequent degenerative change (61.5%). Foraminal stenosis was reported in 38.9%, and nerve root compression in 36.5%. Overweight and obesity were documented in 72.5% of patients.
Conclusion: LDH prevalence among Mexican adults with LBP was 32.5%, with disc protrusion at L4–L5 being the most common presentation. The high frequency of overweight and obesity suggests potential modifiable risk factors. These findings provide epidemiological evidence to optimize diagnostic strategies and preventive measures in similar populations.

Keywords: lumbar disc herniation, low back pain, magnetic resonance imaging, prevalence, degenerative disc disease.

Citation:

Dr.Andres Tlacaelel Balderas Chairez MD, Prevalence and Radiological Characteristics of Lumbar Disc Herniation in Adults with Low Back Pain: A Retrospective MRI Study at a Mexican General Hospital.The Journal of Anatomy 2025.