A radiographic assessment of lumbar spine posture in four different upright standing positions

Approximately 50% of a sample population will develop prolonged standing induced low back pain. The cause of this pain may be due to their lumbar spine posture. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in lumbar posture between 17 participants categorized as a pain or non-pain developers during level ground standing. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the influence of two standing aids (an elevated surface to act as a foot rest and declined sloped surface) on lumbopelvic posture.

Four sagittal plane radiographs were taken: a normal standing position on level ground, when using an elevated foot rest, using a declined sloped surface, and maximum lumbar spine extension as a reference posture. Lumbosacral lordosis, total lumbar lordosis, and L1/L2 and L5/S1 intervertebral joint angles were measured on each radiograph.

There was a significant difference between the lumbosacral lordosis angle and L5/S1 angles in upright versus maximum extension; however, this was independent of pain group. The elevated surface was most effective at causing lumbosacral spine flexion.

Potentially successful postures for eliminating low back pain during prolonged standing mainly influence the lower lumbar lordosis. Future work should assess the influence of hip posture on low back pain development during standing.