Cervical disc degeneration is associated with a reduction in mobility: A cross-sectional study of 1211 asymptomatic healthy subjects

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the age-related changes and gender-specific differences of cervical disc degeneration using magnetic resonance image (MRI) and to evaluate the correlation between the severity of cervical disc degeneration and mobility in asymptomatic subjects. A total of 1,211 relatively healthy volunteers (606 males and 605 females, mean age 49.5 years) without neurological symptoms underwent MRI. At least 100 males and 100 females in each decade of life between the 20 s and the 70 s were included. This study was part of a larger project and used some previously published data. Cervical disc degeneration was defined according to the modified Pfirrmann classification system. A total disc degeneration score (DDS) was calculated by the summation of individual Pfirrmann scores from C2/C3 to C7/T1. Cervical range of motion (ROM) was measured by radiograph. The total DDS increased gradually with increasing age in both genders. DDSs were lower in females than in males in all decades. A DDS of 13 or more was found in more than half the cases in the 40 s or older age groups. The total DDS was 13 or more in over 95% of the cases in the 70 s age group. The total DDS was significantly and negatively correlated with cervical ROM overall (r = − 0.46, p < 0.0001) and in both men (r = − 0.52, p < 0.0001) and women (r = − 0.40, p < 0.0001). This large-scale cross-sectional analysis of cervical spine MRI data in healthy subjects demonstrated that cervical disc degeneration progresses with age, and is correlated with a reduction in mobility.