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A Reference Database of Standardised Continuous Lumbar Intervertebral Motion Analysis for Conducting Patient-Specific
Alexander Breen1, Diana De Carvalho2, Martha Funabashi3,4
1AECC University College, Bournemouth, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|October 14, 2021
Summary
This study establishes normative lumbar spine motion patterns using quantitative fluoroscopy. These findings provide a reference database for diagnosing lumbar instability and spine motion disorders in patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Spinal Imaging
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Lumbar instability is traditionally defined by vertebral displacement, but specific patterns are not well-characterized.
- Quantitative fluoroscopy (QF) offers a method to measure lumbar intervertebral rotational displacement during motion.
- Normative data is essential for individual patient assessment in suspected lumbar spine motion disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative values for lumbar intervertebral motion patterns during flexion and return.
- To create a reference database of spinal displacement patterns in asymptomatic individuals.
- To enable patient-specific comparisons for diagnosing lumbar spine motion disorders.
Main Methods:
- 131 healthy asymptomatic participants underwent guided flexion and return motion using an upright motion frame.
- Quantitative fluoroscopy (QF) captured intervertebral motion at L2-3 to L5-S1 levels at 15 frames per second.
- Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) analyzed motion patterns and differences between levels, with a secondary comparison to chronic low back pain patients.
Main Results:
- Asymptomatic participants exhibited distinct and consistent intervertebral motion patterns for each lumbar level during flexion and return.
- Continuous changes in proportional motion share were observed with narrow confidence intervals and significant differences between levels.
- Patients with chronic non-specific low back pain showed significantly reduced L5-S1 motion compared to controls (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive reference database of lumbar spinal displacement patterns during dynamic motion has been established.
- These normative data provide a basis for understanding normal lumbar kinematics and identifying deviations.
- The database facilitates patient-specific comparisons for improved diagnosis of lumbar spine motion disorders.
