Spine
-
Multicenter Study
Lumbar olisthesis and lower back symptoms in elderly white women. The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.
A Cross-sectional study. ⋯ Anterolisthesis of 3 mm or more in the lower lumbar spine is relatively common among elderly women but is not correlated with back problems. Retrolisthesis at L3-L4 is associated with increased back pain and impaired back function.
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Five-year follow-up study of a controlled clinical trial using light mobilization and an informative approach to low back pain.
A controlled clinical trial. ⋯ This study indicates that subchronic low back pain may be managed successfully with an approach that includes clinical examination combined with information for patients about the nature of the problem, provided in a manner designed to reduce fear and give them reason to resume light activity.
-
The effects of human trunk extensor muscle fatigue on the estimated trunk muscle forces and spinal loading were investigated during the performance of repetitive dynamic trunk extension. ⋯ The results of the study do not suggest that an increase in the muscular loading of the spine occurs as a result of changing trunk muscular recruitment patterns. Therefore, future studies should focus on injury mechanisms that may occur as a result of a change in the viscoelastic passive tissue responses, muscular insufficiency, or a decline in neuromuscular control and coordination.
-
An experimental study to elucidate the initial factors in the pathogenesis of lumbar pain caused by disc herniation. ⋯ Application of nucleus pulposus to nerve root increased endoneurial fluid pressure and decreased blood flow in the dorsal root ganglia. This study's acute observations in the dorsal root ganglia may thus help to explain why disc herniations without compression of neural tissue are sometimes painful because similar pathologic findings are observed after only nucleus pulposus application to the nerve root. The authors further suggest that exposure of nerve roots to nucleus pulposus may establish a "compartment syndrome" in the dorsal root ganglia.
-
An experimental porcine study in which functional lumbar spinal units were tested in compression to failure. Biomechanical, radiographic, magnetic resonance imaging, and histological characteristics are described. ⋯ This study shows that the weakest part of the lumbar spine of the juvenile pig, when compressed, is the growth zone and the junction between the point of insertion of the anulus fibrosus and the vertebra. This location of weakness may explain the high frequency of disc degeneration and "persisting apophysis" seen in the spine of athletes.