Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the lumbar multifidi muscle volume devoid of fat local to
the site of pain in persons with and without chronic unilateral lower lumbar
pain. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional design.
SETTING: University
biokinesiology laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Active individuals (n=14) with chronic
unilateral lower lumbar pain (>1 y) were matched for age, height, weight, and
activity level with healthy individuals (n=14). Individuals with back pain had
minimal disability (Oswestry Disability Index [mean +/- SD], 14.9%+/-6.3%) at the
time of testing. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Multifidus
and erector spinae muscle volumes at the L5-S1 levels, multifidus muscle volumes
at the L4 and S2-3 levels. RESULTS: Average multifidus volume was diminished by
18.1% between groups (P=.026) only at the L5-S1 levels. There was no difference
between painful and pain-free sides. There were no volume differences between
groups above L5, below S1, or in erector spinae at the L5-S1 levels. CONCLUSIONS:
The results of this study indicate that despite a low level of disability and an
activity level similar to that of matched control subjects, considerable
localized, bilateral multifidus atrophy is present. Such impaired size of the
multifidus will likely reduce its capacity to control intersegmental motion, thus
increasing the susceptibility to further injury. Unlike acute unilateral low back
pain (LBP), muscle size is reduced bilaterally in persons with chronic unilateral
LBP.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS