Early intervertebral degeneration patterns among elite amateur golfers: A T2∗ mapping study.

Tobias Mann, Daniel Benjamin Abrar, Bernd Bittersohl, Max Prost

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Brain & spine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

0citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Tobias MannDepartment for Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Daniel Benjamin AbrarDepartment for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düssledorf, Germany.

Bernd BittersohlDepartment for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, University of Bielefeld, Medical Faculty, Bielefeld, Germany.

Max ProstDepartment for Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This study examined whether repetitive loading forces and overuse expose elite golfers to a heightened risk of early degenerative intervertebral disc (IVD) injuries. We hypothesized that asymptomatic elite golfers would demonstrate characteristic patterns of IVD degeneration on T2∗ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared with asymptomatic non-golfers.This pilot study enrolled ten high-level amateur golfers (mean age 28.2 ± 7.3 years) and ten asymptomatic non-golfers (mean age 28.6 ± 4.8 years). The control group was matched for BMI and had no history of competitive sport. MRI scans including T2∗ mapping were performed on a 3-T scanner. T2∗ values were compared between both groups across four lumbar IVDs; midsagittal measurements were obtained in five zones: anterior annulus fibrosus (AF), anterior nucleus pulposus (NP), central NP, posterior NP, and posterior AF. Pfirrmann grading was used for morphological analysis. Statistical analysis employed the Mann-Whitney Study design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Indexed as

Disc degenerationGolfintervertebral discLow back painLumbar spineMRINucleus pulposusPfirrmann gradingProteoglycanQuantitative MRISports biomechanicsT2∗ mapping

Identifiers

PMID42403569

DOI10.1016/j.bas.2026.106154

PMCPMC13332466

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.