• Tsubasa Mitsutake, Maiko Sakamoto, Yuji Chyuda, Shinichiro Oka, Hirokatsu Hirata, Takashi Matsuo, Tsuyoshi Oishi, and Etsuo Horikawa.
• *Department of Rehabilitation, Shiroishi Kyoritsu Hospital, Saga, Japan †Division of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Graduate School of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan ‡Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences at Fukuoka, International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan §Department of Rehabilitation, Takagi Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan ¶Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Nishikyushu University, Saga, Japan ||Department of Neurosurgery, Shiroishi Kyoritsu Hospital, Saga, Japan.
• Spine. 2016 Jan 1; 41 (1): E8-14.

Study DesignA population-based, cross-sectional study.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the relationship between static postural stability and fat infiltration within cervical multifidus muscle in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR).Summary Of Background DataCSR causes denervation by compression of nerve roots. This denervation is detected by fatty infiltration or results in fatty infiltration within muscles. Proprioceptive information in cervical multifidus muscle plays an important role in coordinated movement of postural stability; however, there have been few studies evaluating the relationship between postural stability and fat infiltration within cervical multifidus muscle among CSR patients.MethodsSixteen CSR patients with C6 injuries and 25 age-matched healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance images to examine bilateral cervical multifidus muscle. For evaluation of fat within muscle, a muscle fat index (MFI) was calculated by using both measurement of cervical multifidus muscle and intermuscular fat. Participants' postural stability at upright position with eyes-opened and eyes-closed for 60 seconds was examined by a platform. Two parameters, the total length and the area of the center of pressure (COP), were used for evaluation.ResultsThe CSR group showed significantly poorer postural stability than the control group (eyes-opened the total length; P < 0.05, eyes-closed the total length; P < 0.05, eyes-closed the area; P < 0.05). There were significant group differences at C4, C5, and C6 MFI (P < 0.05). In the CSR group, a correlation analysis demonstrated that the age, C4, C5, and C6 MFI values were significantly associated with the eyes-closed the total length of the COP (P < 0.05).ConclusionsFat infiltration within muscle could lead to inhibition of normal activity of musculature. The present study suggests that fat within cervical multifidus muscle could directly cause postural instability in static standing, even though the proprioceptive information has normal lower limbs.

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