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Compression-traction radiography of lumbar segmental instability
P Kälebo1, R Kadziolka, L Swärd
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Ostra Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Spine
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Compression-traction radiography reveals significantly larger lumbosacral joint displacement in patients with lytic spondylolisthesis compared to healthy individuals, indicating potential lumbar instability.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Lytic spondylolisthesis is a condition affecting the lumbosacral joint.
- Assessing dynamic instability in the sagittal plane is crucial for diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate sagittal plane movements in the lumbosacral joint.
- To compare dynamic instability between patients with lytic spondylolisthesis and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Compression-traction radiography was employed to measure translatory and rotatory movements.
- Subjects included a control group of asymptomatic individuals and a patient group with symptomatic lytic spondylolisthesis.
Main Results:
- Patients with lytic spondylolisthesis demonstrated significantly greater sagittal translatory displacement (average 5.2%) than controls (average 0.8%).
- 62% of patients exhibited translations exceeding the normal range observed in controls.
- No significant differences in sagittal rotation (angulation) were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- Compression-traction radiography effectively detects abnormal translatory movements in the lumbosacral joint.
- Increased translatory displacement is a key indicator of lumbar segmental instability in lytic spondylolisthesis.