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Published on: March 23, 2019
Floor activities and degenerative spinal diseases
Wiwat Wajanavisit1, Patarawan Woratanarat, Thanet Wattanawong
1Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Summary
Thai floor activities significantly increase the risk of degenerative spinal diseases. Prolonged engagement in daily tasks like cooking or occupational work can lead to spinal issues later in life.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Traditional Thai lifestyles involve extensive floor-based activities.
- These activities place abnormal stress on the spine, potentially causing low back pain and degenerative changes in the lumbosacral region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between early adult floor activities and the development of degenerative lumbar stenosis in elderly Thai individuals.
- To identify specific floor activities that pose a higher risk for spinal degeneration.
Main Methods:
- A case-controlled study comparing patients with degenerative spinal stenosis (cases) to pain-free individuals (controls).
- Cases and controls were matched for age, gender, and location.
- Data collection included medical records, roentgenograms, and a questionnaire detailing floor activities.
Main Results:
- Individuals performing floor activities over 28 times/week or 2 hours/week for more than 10 years showed a >15-fold increased risk of degenerative spinal diseases.
- Occupational tasks, cooking, and latrine use were identified as the most significant risk factors.
- Fifty-four female patients were included in the analysis.
Conclusions:
- Frequent and prolonged floor activities are linked to an increased risk of symptomatic degenerative spinal diseases in the Thai population.
- Further research is needed to explore the specific role of prolonged postures during these activities in causing lumbar spinal stenosis.
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