J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2002 Feb;26(1):67-72.

The Relationship between Radiologic Parameters of Lumbar Spine and Occurrence of Low Back Pain in High Risk Workers

• Lee J
• Lee KW

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between commonly used radiologic parameters and occurrence of low back pain (LBP) through prospective study using pre-employment radiologic examination in high risk workplace. METHOD: One hundred and fifty four male workers in high risk workplace were evaluated. Lumbar lordosis, lumbosacral angle, lumbar gravity line and lumbar disc height-related parameters were measured using simple radiologic films of lateral lumbosacral view taken during pre-employment medical check. Relationship between occurrence of LBP during post-employment period with a mean 1.7+/-1.0 years and radiologic parameter was investigated.
RESULTS
Lumbar lordosis, lumbosacral angle and lumbar disc height were not significantly correlated to the occurrence of LBP. Amount of anterior shift of lumbar gravity line did not showed correlation to occurrence of LBP, but subjects with posterior displacement of lumbar gravity line showed significantly low rate of occurrence of LBP.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that commonly used radiologic parameters are not so useful to predict occurrence of LBP in high risk workers. The possibile preventive effect of posterior shift of lumbar gravity line seems to be worth further researching.

Keyword

Low back pain; Lordosis; Lumbosacral angle; Disc height; Lumbar gravity line

MeSH Terms

Animals
Gravitation
Humans
Lordosis
Low Back Pain*
Male
Prospective Studies
Spine*