Lumbar spine dimensions in paraparetic patients: A 10 year follow up study

Abstract

Lumbar spinal AP radiographs of 13 C3-TIl paraparetic patients taken at about a 10 year interval were compared. The height (H) and maximum width (W) of the interapophysolaminar spaces (IALS), the width of the vertebral bodies at their waist (V) and the relationship between them showed minimal change over the follow up period. The difference between the late and early mean IALS height values increased caudally but was statistically significant only below L5. Subjective evaluation of the consecutive x-ray films revealed few new degenera tive abnormalities. It is concluded that the normal aging process, which includes horizontal spreading of the lumbar vertebral bodies and narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal, is not accelerated by paraparesis and may even be retarded by relative immobilization.

An evidence-based review of aging of the body systems following spinal cord injury

“…At this point, other factors (that is, immobilization) affecting bone mass may become more prominent. However, there is evidence that the lumbar spine is not adversely affected by aging with SCI, 54,55,57,[60][61][62]67 and postural changes are also independent of age and YPI. 68 The possibility that the lumbar spine becomes the primary weight-bearing region, along with immobilization, may serve to protect age-related bone loss changes to this region.…”