RELATIONSHIP OF SCHMORL’S NODE AND LUMBAR DISC HERNIATIONS IN LUMBAR DISC DEGENERATIVE DISEASE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: To determine relationship of Schmorl’s Nodes and lumbar disc herniations in patients with degenerative disc disease Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiology Sughra Shafi Medical Complex Narowal from 16th January 2026 to 15th May 2026. Methodology: The study was conducted after approval of the Ethical Review Board. A total of 95 individuals were enrolled. Once the informed consent of the participants had been obtained, their demographics as well as medical history were documented. All the participants had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted on them using the 0.35-Tesla Neosoft scanner. The procedure entailed the sagittal T2-weighted imaging of the lumbar region complemented with sagittal T1-weighted, STIR and axial T2-weighted imaging. Results: Among the 49 individuals diagnosed with Schmorl’s nodes, 40 (81.6%) individuals suffered from lumbar disc herniation whereas 9 (18.4%) individuals did not have disc herniation. Conversely, among the 46 individuals without Schmorl’s nodes, 25 (54.3%) individuals suffered from lumbar disc herniation whereas 21 (45.7%) individuals did not have any disc herniation. Pearson's Chi-square test confirmed a statistically significant association between Schmorl's nodes and lumbar disc herniation (χ²=8.175, df = 1, p = 0.004). Conclusion: The meaningful association between Schmorl's nodes and lumbar disc herniation: patients presenting with Schmorl's nodes showed a markedly higher rate of disc herniation compared to those without pointing toward a possible mechanistic or degenerative link between the two conditions.