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The effect of lumbar traction on low back pain (LBP) patients is controversial. Our study aims to assess changes in the intervertebral disc water content after lumbar traction using T2 mapping and explore the correlation between changes in the T2 value and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)/visual analogue scale (VAS) score.

Lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging was performed, and the ODI/VAS scores were recorded in all 48 patients. Midsagittal T2-weighted imaging and T2 mapping were performed to determine the Pfirrmann grade and T2 value. Then, the T2 values were compared between pre- and posttraction, and the correlation between changes in the T2 value and ODI/VAS scores were examined.

In the traction group, the changes in the nucleus pulposus (NP) T2 values for Pfirrmann grades II-IV and the annulus fibrosus (AF) T2 values for Pfirrmann grade II were statistically …