| Objective To investigate the inner link between osteoporosis and the lumbar vertebral degeneration, in order to provide objective clinical basis for forecasting the clinical prognosis of the diseases, and to take appropriate measure to prevent or delay the development of the diseases. Methods The random controlled method was applied in this study. One hundred and eighty patients, who were hospitalized in our hospital, were randomly selected. All the patients were divided into 3 groups according to bone mineral density (BMD): the control group, the osteopenia group, and the osteoporosis group. The anteroposterior and lateral X-ray of the lumbar vertebrae were taken. Then the score of the osteophyte, the changes of the lumbar disc height, and the deformation of the vertebral body were measured. Results The Nathan scores in the osteoporosis group were significantly different to that in the osteopenia group and the control group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed between osteopenia group and control group (P>0.05). The difference of the height of the lumbar disc in every segment in each group was significant (P<0.05). The height of the lumbar vertebrae discs in osteoporosis group was significantly lower than that in osteopenia group and control group (P<0.05). Though the deformation of the vertebral body between osteopenia group and control group was not significant, the deformation of the vertebral body in osteoporosis group was significantly different to that in the osteopenia group and the control group (P<0.05). The deformation often occurred at L1, L4, and L5, most presenting as the decrease of ha/hp. Conclusion The degeneration of the lumbar vertebrae in osteoporosis group is the most severe, the degeneration in osteopenia group is less, and the degeneration in control group is the least. The results indicate that there is positive correlation between osteoporosis and the degeneration of the lumbar vertebrae. Osteoporosis can promote the process of the degeneration of the lumbar vertebrae. |