Growth pattern of lumbar maturity stage at L1 to L5 during adolescent growth spurt

This study aimed to clarify the order of the lumbar maturity stage, each at L1 to L5, and the relationships between age at peak height velocity (APHV) and the lumbar maturity stage.

A total of 120 male first-grade junior high school soccer players were enrolled and followed for two years, and measurements were performed five times (T1 to T5). The lumbar maturity stage was assessed according to the degree of lesion of the epiphyseal from L1 to L5 using magnetic resonance imaging and classified into three stages: cartilaginous stage, apophyseal stage, and epiphyseal stage. The relationships between T1 and T5 temporal changes and developmental stages divided by 0.5 year increments based on APHV and the lumbar maturity stage at L1 to L5 were examined. For the apophyseal stage, developmental age calculated based on the difference between APHV and chronological age between each lumbar vertebra was compared.

We found that part of the cartilaginous stages decreased as time progressed, while that of the apophyseal and epiphyseal stages increased at L1 to L5 (chi-square test, p < 0.01). L5 matured earlier with the apophyseal stage than L1 to L4 (p < 0.05). The lumbar maturity stage was attained toward L1 from L5, comparing different lumbar levels.

The lumbar maturity stage progresses from L5 toward L1, and the apophyseal and epiphyseal stages would replace the cartilaginous stage at approximately 14 years of age or after APHV.