Chances of spinal injury 'increases with high BMI'RSS Feed

New research has found overweight adults are far more likely to suffer spinal injury through disc degeneration than those with a normal body-mass index (BMI).

A team led by Dr Dino Samartzis and Dr Kenneth Cheung at the University of Hong Kong published a report in the journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism that revealed BMI could be a factor in the development of lower back pain.

Dr Samartzis warned: "Our study's findings have considerable public health implications.

"If these issues continue to plague society, they can further affect spine health leading to low back pain and its consequences."

The research used magnetic resonance imaging to show how an elevated BMI is associated with an increased number of degenerated discs and a greater severity of degeneration.

Signs of problems with the lower discs of the spine include amplified pain when sitting, as a heavier load is placed on the region compared with when an individual is standing or lay down.

News from Serious Law, specialist spinal injury lawyers

Posted by Paul Breen

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