Lumbar lordosis in acute and chronic low back pain patients

Abstract

Postural changes are sometimes a risk factor for low back pain. Abnormal posture creates a strain on ligaments and muscles that indirectly affects the curvature of the lumbar spine. This study was planned to investigate the relationship between the angles of the lower lumbar spine and spinal mobility in acute and chronic low back pain patients. Fifty patients (25 female, 25 male) with chronic low back pain and fifty (30 female, 20 male) with acute low back pain were included the study. Both groups were subjected to lumbosacral radiography in the lateral position while standing. Patients were assessed by parameters including spinal mobility, sacral inclination angle, lumbosacral angle, and sacral horizontal angle. Spinal mobility included the maximal range of motion of lumbar flexion and extension. The value of the sacral inclination angle was significantly higher and correlated with lumbar extension in chronic low back pain patients ( P<0.005, r=0.32). There was no statistical difference or correlation in lumbosacral and sacral horizontal angles and spinal mobility between the two groups ( P>0.05). Chronic low back pain affects the lower lumbar spine and limits the maximal range of;lumbar extension.

Evaluation of lumbar angles and their clinical correlates in a Nigerian population

“…The correlation between lumbar angles and the incidence of low back pain has been described. [2][3][4] The shape and geometry of the lumbosacral spine has been reported to be of importance in the occurrence of low back pain. [5][6][7] The sacral inclination also has a considerable clinical significance.…”

Correlation between the Lumbar Lordosis Curve and the Temperature Difference of the Lower Extremity Regions in Patients Lumbar Herniated Nucleus Pulposus

“…Lumbar lordosis is an important factor that determines flexibility when lifting or lowering an object and at the time of motion 1) . As the importance of lumbar lordosis has become recognized, studies on lumbar lordosis of back pain patients 2) , pregnant women 3) , and herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) patients have been conducted. Infrared thermographic imaging was first reported in 1956 by Lawson who showed its effects by applying it to a breast cancer patient 4) .…”

The Correlations between Lumbar Lordosis, L4-5 Disc Angle, L4-5 Disc Height, and the Lumbosacral Angle in L4-5 HNP Patients

“…Abnormal postures produce strain on ligaments and muscles and affect lumbar lordosis 4) . An abnormal results in the development and progression of lumbar lordosis make spinal osteoarthritis.…”

“…In this study, it was seen that, as the degree of lumbar lordosis decreased, L4-5 disc angle, L4-5 disc height, and the lumbosacral angle also decreased and, in particular, very high correlations were shown between lumbar lordosis, L4-5 disc angle, and L4-5 disc height. Evcik and Yücel's study took lateral view radiographs of 50 chronic back pain patients and 50 acute back pain patients in standing postures to analyze the correlations between the angles of the lower lumbar spine and spinal mobility 4) . Based on the results, they reported that when the mobility of lumbar spinal extension was large, the sacral inclination angle was also large (p<0.005, r=0.32), and that chronic back pain affected the angles of the lower lumbar spine and spinal mobility.…”

“…Because the lumbar curvature is believed to be an important consideration in lumbar spinal HNP patients, studies of lumbar lordosis, lumbar spinal angles, disc heights, or sacral gradients in lumbar spinal HNP patients are being conducted. Previous studies using radiography included those using radiography conducted on the lumbar lordosis of normal persons or back pain patients 4) , lumbar lordosis of pregnant women 5) , lumbar lordosis in relation to the height of shoe heels 6) , lumbar lordosis before and after exercises for stabilizing the lumbar region. Previous studies using MRI are limited to a study on lumbar lordosis and the lumbosacral angle before and after disc surgery 7) , and a study on L4-5 lumbar angle and disc height 8) .…”