Masharawi Y.1, Haj A.1
1Tel Aviv University, Physiotherapy, Tel Aviv Jaffa, Israel
Background: Lumbar kinematical evaluations are necessary for improving the differential diagnosis of patients with low back pain. No study has as yet investigated lumbar rotation, range of motion (ROM), velocity and acceleration in neutral standing and with full flexion in healthy subjects or patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP).
Purpose: To evaluate the kinematics of lumbar rotation in neutral standing and with full flexion in men with NSCLBP.
Methods: ROM, average velocity (AV), maximum velocity (MV) and maximal acceleration (MA) of lumbar left and right rotation in neutral standing and with full flexion were measured using an industrial lumbar motion monitor in 50 men (25 with NSCLBP and 25 controls). The VAS level and total score of the Rolland Morris questionnaire (RMQ) were measured in the NSCLBP group.
Results: All kinematical parameters of lumbar rotation were significantly lower in men with NSCLBP than in the controls (↓ROM = 29%-45%; ↓AV = 40%-68%; ↓MV = 25%-50%; ↓MA = 20%-37%). Kinematical asymmetry was only found in neutral standing in the NSCLBP group where left rotation manifested smaller kinematic values (except for MA) than right rotation (Δ ROM=35%; Δ AV=66%; Δ MV=19%). Most kinematical parameters significantly decreased in neutral standing to standing with flexion (Right rotation: ↓ROM=43%-45%, ↓AV=38%-45%, ↓MV=24%-27%, ↓MA for the LBP group =21%); Left rotation: ↓ROM=25%-38%, ↓AV in the control group: = 34%, ↓MV in the control group: = 23%, ↓MA in the control group = 25%). No correlations were found between all measured kinematical parameters, VAS and RMQ total score in the NSCLBP group.
Conclusion(s): Lumbar rotation kinematics were negatively affected in men with NSCLBP compared with controls both in neutral standing and with full flexion. Most lumbar rotation kinematics decreased from neutral standing to standing with flexion.
Implications: Based on the results in the current study, it is suggested to use the selected functional kinematical parameters in the clinical situation as an additional physical evaluation in individuals suffering from NSCLBP to detect any possible effects following conservative treatments. This objectivity can positively contribute to bio-psychological components of the treatment output in this population. Moreover, as kinematical asymmetry in lumbar rotation in neutral standing was only indicated in the NSCLBP group, this parameter can be clinically used to diagnose and treat a pathological asymmetry in lumbar rotation in this population.
Funding acknowledgements: No funding
Topic: Human movement analysis
Ethics approval: Tel Aviv University Ethical committee
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
