The Evaluation of Chronic Low Back Pain by Determining the Ratio of the Lumbar Multifidus Muscle Cross-sectional Areas of the Unaffected and Affected Sides

Abstract

[Purpose] The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate chronic low back pain by determining the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the lumbar multifidus of the unaffected and affected sides at the L5 level using the ultrasound imaging. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 24 young people (10 males, 14 females) with chronic low back pain lasting for more than 6 months on one side. The visual analog scale (VAS) value of pain was assessed and the cross-sectional areas of the bilateral multifidus muscle were measured with the subjects in a supine position in a resting state using ultrasound imaging. Correlation and linear regression analysis were performed on the VAS and the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the lumbar multifidus of the unaffected and affected sides. [Results] The VAS and the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the lumbar multifidus were linearly correlated. [Conclusion] The results of this research indicate that when the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the lumbar multifidus of the unaffected and affected sides increases, the symptom of chronic low back pain deteriorates.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis of multifidus muscles lipid content and association with spinopelvic malalignment in chronic low back pain

“…10,46,47 At this level, the paraspinal muscle is the main muscle protecting the spinal structure controlling the gliding motion in all lumbar vertebrae. 48,49 Intra-and interobserver reliabilities studies indicated that the inherent error of the IMCLs measurement is about 6%.…”

Evaluation of intramyocellular and extramyocellular lipids in the paraspinal muscle in patients with chronic low back pain using MR spectroscopy: preliminary results

“…1,21,39 At this level, the paraspinal muscle is thought to be the main muscle protecting the spinal structure controlling the gliding motion at each articuli intervertebrales. 40,41 Previous studies 23,42 have reported that atrophy and fat infiltration of the Mm appear to occur at multiple levels and are side specific in relation to symptoms in patients with CLBP and that degenerative scoliosis is associated with the asymmetry of paraspinal muscle changes.…”

The Effects of Spinal Decompression Therapy on Pain and Disability in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

“…Chronic low back pain refers to low back pain on a daily basis for at least 12 weeks. 1 According to the literature, chronic low back pain occurs in over 50% of the population. 1 Patients with low back pain are generally managed conservatively with various treatments, such as drug therapy, traction therapy, electrotherapy, and manual therapy.…”

“…1 According to the literature, chronic low back pain occurs in over 50% of the population. 1 Patients with low back pain are generally managed conservatively with various treatments, such as drug therapy, traction therapy, electrotherapy, and manual therapy. 2 If these treatments prove to be ineffective or the low back pain worsens, surgery may be performed.…”