Investigating the contribution of the upper and lower lumbar spine, relative to hip motion, in everyday tasks. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alqhtani, Raee S.; Jones, Michael D.; Theobald, Peter S.; Williams, Jonathan M.
• Is Part Of: Manual therapy. Volume 21(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 268
• Page End: 273
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Lumbar spine -- Upper and lower lumbar spine -- Lumbar-hip movement -- Sectioned approach -- Ratio -- Velocity; Manipulation (Therapeutics) -- Periodicals; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; Neuromuscular diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Manipulation, Orthopedic; Musculoskeletal Diseases -- therapy; Neuromuscular Diseases -- therapy; Physical Therapy; Manipulation (Thérapeutique) -- Périodiques; Physiothérapie -- Périodiques; Maladies neuromusculaires -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Manipulation (Therapeutics); Neuromuscular diseases -- Treatment; Physical therapy; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2015.09.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1356-689X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: It is commonplace for clinicians to measure range of motion (ROM) in the assessment of the lumbar spine. Traditional single 'joint' models afford measuring only a limited number of regions along the spine and may, therefore, over-simplify the description of movement. It remains to be determined if additional, useful information can be gleaned by considering the traditional 'lumbar region' as two regions. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether modelling the lumbar spine as two separate regions (i.e. upper and lower), yields a different understanding of spinal movement relative to hip motion, than a traditional single-joint model. This study is unique in adopting this approach to evaluate a range of everyday tasks. Method: Lumbar spine motion was measured both by being considered as a whole region (S1 to T12), and where the lumbar spine was modelled as two regions (the upper (L3-T12) and lower (S1-L3)). Results: A significant difference was evident between the relative contribution from the lower and upper spine across all movements, with the lower lumbar spine consistently contributing on average 63% of the total ROM. A significant difference was also evident between the whole lumbar spine-hip ratio, and the lower lumbar spine-hip ratio, for the movement of lifting only. The lower lumbar spine achieved greater velocity for all tasks, when compared to the upper lumbar spine. Conclusion: This study has consistently demonstrated differences in the contribution of the upper and lower spinal regions across a range of everyday tasks; hence, it would appear that greater focus should be given to performing more detailed assessments to fully appreciate spinal movement. Highlights: A Significant difference between ROM of LLS and ULS across all movements. A significant difference between ULS-hip and LLS-hip ratio for the majority of tasks. Significant differences between ULS and LLS velocity for the majority of tasks.