Aberrant Biomarkers, Leg Anatomy and Pain Parameters are the Risk Factors in Lumbar-Herniated Disc: a Novel Diagnostic Protocol

Objective: To investigate the role of aberrant biochemical markers and leg-musculo- postural features as risk factors in Lumbar-Herniated Disc (LHD) for novel diagnostic protocol. Methods: Baseline data from 117 patients, average aged 59.84±7.17 years, suffering with LHDs for 5.88±1.92 years and 117 participants, average aged 58.86±7.62 years, without LHDs were collected in this cross-sectional study. Separate analyses were performed for participants with and without LHD symptoms confirming with X-ray or MRI. Blood IL-10, TNF-α, CK-MM, and AldoA levels were estimated. Anatomical measurements included bilateral gap at the knees between the short head of the biceps femoris and the level of the bed while supine, diameter of muscles at the thighs, the calves, 4 cm above and below the patella, straight legs rising, flexions supine and extensions supine and Body Mass Index of both groups using appropriate instruments. The study was also correlated with functional disability parameters and radiological images. Results:In patients with LHDs who exhibited intervertebral disc degeneration at the lumbar spine having above-mentioned anomalous levels of biomarkers were recorded as their mean±SD values 7.84±1.40 pg/ml, 27.04±5.16 pg/ml, 189.05±58.90 U/L, and 8.08±1.94 U/L respectively, the bilateral measurements of leg anatomy and percentage of retrogression of international-approved functional disability outcomes of cohorts with LHD were all were highly significant differences (p<0.0001) when compared to the non-LHD cohorts Conclusion:It is firmly concluded that the effective diagnostic tool for LHD may be monitored with the help of above-mentioned abnormal biomarker levels and deranged lower extremities along with functional disability parameters confirming with spine radiographic images.