Clinical assessment of lumbar impairment

Assessment of severity in low back injuries may be based on diagnosis, pain, disability, physical impairment, and capacity for work. It is important to distinguish between impairment and disability. Physical impairment is objective structural limitation; disability is the resulting loss of function. Disability can be assessed by the patient's report of restriction in activities of daily living: bending and lifting, sitting, standing, walking, traveling, socializing, sleep, sex, and putting on or taking off footwear. Detailed statistical analysis of 480 patients identified the most important elements of lumbar impairment as the anatomic and time patterns of pain, lumbar flexion, straight leg raising, neurologic signs, previous surgery, and spinal fractures. Methods of examination need to be improved. An anatomic chart is provided to calculate impairment in the individual patient. The patient's report of pain, disability, and capacity for work should then be compared with the physician's objective assessment of the injury, diagnosis, and lumbar impairment.     

The influence of intense exercise-based physical therapy program on back pain anticipated before and induced by physical activities.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Pain anticipated before and induced by physical activities has been shown to influence the physical performance of patients with chronic back pain. Limited data exist as to the influence of treatment on this component of pain. PURPOSE: This study attempted to determine if pain anticipated before and induced by physical activities was altered during an exercise-oriented physical therapy program for chronic back pain. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Subjects were recruited from three physical therapy sites with similar spine rehabilitation programs that used intense exercise delivered in a group format. During the recruitment period, 70 subjects with chronic low back pain and disability agreed to participate and complied with recommended treatments. The primary outcome measures were anticipated and induced pain as assessed by visual analog scales (VAS) during six tests of back flexibility and strength. Additional outcome measures included the performance levels of these six tests (trunk flexion, extension, straight leg raising, back strength, lifting from floor to waist and waist to shoulder height), global back and leg VAS and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire scores. METHODS: At evaluation for the spine rehabilitation programs, we recorded the anticipated and induced pain levels associated with the six tests of back function, the performance levels on each test and global pain and disability scores. Subjects then participated in the spine rehabilitation program that consisted of intense exercise delivered up to three times per week, for 2 hours over a period of 6 weeks. All outcome measures were reassessed at discharge. Pre- and posttreatment outcome scores were statistically compared using paired sample t tests and chi-squared test. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to compare anticipated and induced pain results with global back and leg pain VAS scores, Oswestry scores and physical performance levels for each physical test. RESULTS: Most measures of anticipated and induced pain improved between evaluation and discharge. Improvements were noted for global back pain (p<.001), leg pain (p=.001), disability (p<.001) and performance on each physical testing (p<.001) after treatment. Performances on all physical testing correlated with anticipated and induced pain for all tests at evaluation but only for measures of flexibility at discharge. Improvements in global pain and disability correlated with improvements in anticipated and induced pain with physical testing. CONCLUSION: Anticipated and induced pain with physical activities was lessened after physical therapy using exercise. Anticipated and induced pain with physical activities related to physical performance levels, global pain and disability ratings. These findings may help explain how exercise exerts a positive influence on chronic back pain and disability.     

The relationship between anthropometric, postural, muscular, and mobility characteristics of males ages 18-55

Three hundred twenty-one males, ages 18-55, had standardized tests to determine height, weight, Davenport Index, leg length inequality, determination of flexion and extension torques, flexion/extension balance, range of motion, straight leg raising, and lumbar lordosis. A total of 106 (33.0%) had never experienced low-back symptoms; 144 (44.9%) had or were having moderate low-back pain (LBP); and 71 (22.1%) had or were having severe low-back symptoms. These three subgroups showed no significant differences in height, weight, Davenport Index, lumbar lordosis, or leg length inequalities. LBP patients had less flexor and extensor strength and were flexor overpowered, had diminished range of motion for spinal extension and axial rotation (P = 0.003, P = 0.0005), and diminished straight leg raising capacity (P = 0.04). A multivariate correlation matrix demonstrated no typical pattern of associated abnormalities except a diminished spinal range of motion in one plane was associated with the anticipated diminishment in all other planes of motion, and often with greater restrictions of straight leg raising tests.     

Patient characteristics and patterns of use for lumbar spine radiographs: results from the Veterans Health Study

STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal data from the Veterans Health Study, an observational study of male patients receiving Veterans Administration ambulatory care, were analyzed. OBJECTIVE: To identify patient characteristics that predict different patterns in the use of lumbar spine radiographs. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: In this study, 401 patients with low back pain receiving ambulatory care services in four Veterans Administration outpatient clinics in the greater Boston area were followed for 12 months. METHODS: Participants were mailed the Medical Outcome Study Short Form Health Survey and participated in scheduled interviews that included the completion of a low back questionnaire, a comorbidity index, and a straight leg raising test. Four groups of patients were defined according to the patterns of use for lumbar spine radiographs: prior use, repeat use, no use, and new use of lumbar spine radiographs. These groups were compared in terms of sociodemographics, comorbid conditions, low back pain intensity, radiating leg pain, straight leg raising, Medical Outcome Study Short Form Health Survey scores, and low back disability days. RESULTS: The patients with new lumbar spine radiographs showed worse physical and psychological distress than the participants in the other three groups. In contrast, the patients with no lumbar spine radiographs reported minor physical impairment. Compared with patients who had no repeat radiographs, patients with repeat lumbar spine radiographs had similar scores on physical health, but they showed worse scores of mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Both physical and psychological factors contribute to having new radiographic examinations, whereas psychological factors have increased importance in the repeat use of roentgenographic examinations. Repeat radiographs appear to be overused, judging by the severity of physical impairment as measured by low back pain intensity, the Medical OutcomeStudy Short Form Health Survey, and disability days.     

The best back to manipulate?

A series of 104 patients 'cured' by one, or at most two, manipulations in reviewed. A clinical syndrome emerges--recent and/or sudden onset of back pain and leg pain, no neurological symptoms or signs, a mechanical pattern of back movements with extension more limited than flexion, straight leg raising (SLR) more than 60 degrees and no neurological signs.     

Correlation between spinal and pelvic movements during gait and aggravation of low back pain by gait loading in lumbar spinal stenosis patients

BackgroundLumbar alignment of posterior or anterior tilts affects the exacerbation and remission of symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis patients. This study aimed to clarify the correlation between spinal and pelvic movements during gait and the aggravation of low back pain after gait loading in lumbar spinal stenosis patients.MethodsA total of 29 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis completed leg and low back pain assessments and gait analysis before and after gait loading tests. Patients were divided into leg and low back pain change (n = 8), leg pain only change (n = 12), and non-change (n = 9) groups based on the differences of leg and low back pain between before and after the tests. Peak kinematic values of the anterior tilts of the trunk, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and pelvis during the stance phase were obtained via three-dimensional gait analysis.ResultsIn the leg and low back pain change group, the anterior lumbar and pelvic tilts were larger after than before the tests; however, in the leg pain only change and non-change groups, only the anterior lumbar tilt was larger after than before the tests. Anterior lumbar tilt before and after the tests negatively correlated with the aggravation of low back pain, and an increase in the anterior pelvic tilt positively correlated with the aggravation of low back pain.ConclusionsIn lumbar spinal stenosis patients, smaller anterior lumbar tilt and larger anterior pelvic tilt during gait loading may affect the aggravation of low back pain by gait loading. Increasing in lumbar lordosis during gait might be one of the factors leading to low back pain in lumbar spinal stenosis patients.     

Movement coordination of the lumbar spine and hip during a picking up activity in low back pain subjects

The effect of low back pain, with or without nerve root signs, on the joint coordination and kinematics of the lumbar spine and hips during everyday activities, such as picking up an object from the floor, are largely unknown. An experimental study was designed to compare lumbar spine and hip joint kinematics and coordination in subjects with and without sub-acute low back pain, while picking up an object in a sitting position. A three-dimensional real-time electromagnetic tracking device was used to measure movements of the lumbar spine and hips. Sixty participants with subacute low back pain, with or without straight leg raise signs, and twenty healthy asymptomatic participants were recruited. The ranges of motions of lumbar spine and hips were determined. Movement coordination between the two regions was examined by cross-correlation. Results showed that mobility was significantly reduced in subjects with back pain, who compensated for limited motion through various strategies. The contribution of the lumbar spine relative to that of the hip was, however, found to be similar in all groups. The lumbar spine–hip joint coordination was substantially altered in subjects with back pain, in particular, those with a positive straight leg raise sign. We conclude that changes in the lumbar and hip kinematics were related to back pain and limitation in straight leg raise. Lumbar–hip coordination was mainly affected by the presence of positive straight leg raise sign when picking up an object in a sitting position.     

Chronic low back pain in men 54-63 years of age. Correlations of physical measurements with the degree of trouble and progress after treatment

Conservative treatment for chronic low back pain was given to 151 men aged 54-63 years. Pretreatment back trouble and progress were assessed by subjective ratings in questionnaires before the treatment and at 2-, 6- and 12-month follow-up examinations. Physical measurements were made before the treatment and at the 2-month follow-up. Pretreatment low back trouble correlated significantly and positively with lumbar disc degeneration and negatively with spinal lateral flexion and rotation, hip flexion and extension, capacity for dynamic exercises, trunk isometric extension and flexion strength, and intraindividual trunk extension/flexion strength ratio. Progress was significantly associated with follow-up increases of spinal lateral flexion and rotation, hip flexion and lateral rotation, and trunk extension and flexion strength. Combinations of variables did not substantially improve their correlative power as indicators of low back trouble and progress.     

Do functional tests predict low back pain?

STUDY DESIGN: A cohort of 307 nonsymptomatic workers and another cohort of 123 workers with previous episodes of low back pain were followed up for 2 years. The outcomes were measured by symptoms, medical consultations, and sick leaves due to low back disorders. OBJECTIVES: To study the predictive value of a set of tests measuring the physical performance of the back in a working population. The hypothesis was that subjects with poor functional capacity are liable to back disorders. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Reduced functional performance has been associated with back pain. There are few data to show whether reduced functional capacity is a cause or a consequence of pain. METHODS: Mobility of the trunk in forward and side bending, maximal isokinetic trunk extension, flexion and lifting strength, and static endurance of back extension were measured. Standing balance and foot reaction time were recorded with a force plate. Clinical tests for the provocation of back or leg pain were performed. Gender, workload, age, and anthropometrics were managed as potential confounders in the analysis. RESULTS: Marked overlapping was seen in the measures of the subjects with different outcomes. Among the nonsymptomatic subjects, low performance in tests of mobility and standing balance was associated with future back disorders. Among workers with previous episodes of back pain, low isokinetic extension strength, poor standing balance, and positive clinical signs predicted future pain. CONCLUSIONS: Some associations were found between the functional tests and future low back pain. The wide variation in the results questions the value of the tests in health examinations (e.g., in screening or surveillance of low back disorders).     

Spinal mobility and trunk muscle strength in 15-year-old schoolchildren with and without low-back pain.

From a population of 1,503 schoolchildren, 38 15-year-old children suffering from low-back pain and 38 asymptomatic controls were selected for testing of spinal mobility and trunk muscle strength. The asymptomatic controls were matched by age, sex, and school class. In the group with recurrent or continual low-back pain (17 boys and 21 girls), the boys were over 4 cm taller than those in the control group. In both sexes sagittal mobility was decreased in lumbar extension and straight leg raising, and increased in lumbar flexion. Endurance strength in the abdominal and back muscles was decreased compared to the control pupils, who reported no back pain at all in the questionnaire collected 1 year before the testing procedure. The pupils reporting sciatica (n = 7) at some time, in addition to recurrent low-back pain, had decreased lumbar flexion and side bending compared to those with recurrent low-back pain (n = 31) without sciatica. The results of the study indicated that in this growing-age population there was a subgroup with recurrent low-back pain having a different spinal mobility pattern as well as decreased trunk muscle strength.     

Correlation of nerve root pain with dermatomal sensory threshold and back pain with spinal movement in single level lumbar spondylosis

We studied 27 patients with low back pain and unilateral L5 or S1 spinal nerve root pain. Significant radiological changes were restricted to the symptomatic root level, when compared with controls. Low back and leg pain were graded on a visual analogue scale. Dermatomal quantitative sensory tests revealed significant elevations of warm, cool and touch perception thresholds in the affected dermatome, compared with controls. These elevations correlated with root pain (warm v L5 root pain; r = 0.88, p < 0.0001), but not with back pain. Low back pain correlated with restriction of anteroposterior spinal flexion (p = 0.02), but not with leg pain. A subset of 16 patients underwent decompressive surgery with improvement of pain scores, sensory thresholds and spinal mobility. A further 14 patients with back pain, multilevel nerve root symptoms and radiological changes were also studied. The only correlation found was of low back pain with spinal movement (p < 0.002). We conclude that, in patients with single level disease, dermatomal sensory threshold elevation and restriction of spinal movement are independent correlates of sciatica and low back pain.     

The active straight leg raising test and mobility of the pelvic joints

Objective signs to assess impairment in patients who are disabled by peripartum pelvic girdle pain hardly exist. The purpose of this study was to develop a clinical test to quantify and qualify disability in these patients. The study examined the relationship between impaired active straight leg raising (ASLR) and mobility of pelvic joints in patients with peripartum pelvic girdle pain, focusing on (1) the reduction of impairment of ASLR when the patient was wearing a pelvic belt, and (2) motions between the pubic bones measured by X-ray examination when the patient was standing on one leg, alternating left and right. Twenty-one non-pregnant patients with peripartum pelvic girdle pain in whom pain and impairment of ASLR were mainly located on one side were selected. ASLR was performed in the supine position, first without a pelvic belt and then with a belt. The influence of the belt on the ability to actively raise the leg was assessed by the patient. Mobility of the pelvic joints was radiographically visualized by means of the Chamberlain method. Assessment was blinded. Ability to perform ASLR was improved by a pelvic belt in 20 of the 21 patients (binomial two-tailed P = 0.0000). When the patient was standing on one leg, alternating the symptomatic side and the reference side, a significant difference between the two sides was observed with respect to the size of the radiographically visualized steps between the pubic bones (binomial two-tailed P = 0.01). The step at the symptomatic side was on average larger when the leg at that side was hanging down than when the patient was standing on the leg at that side. Impairment of ASLR correlates strongly with mobility of the pelvic joints in patients with peripartum pelvic girdle pain. The ASLR test could be a suitable instrument to quantify and qualify disability in diseases related to mobility of the pelvic joints. Further studies are needed to assess the relationship with clinical parameters, sensitivity, specificity and responsiveness in various categories of patients. In contrast with the opinion of Chamberlain, that a radiographically visualized step between the pubic bones is caused by cranial shift of the pubic bone at the side of the standing leg, it is concluded that the step is caused by caudal shift of the pubic bone at the side of the leg hanging down. The caudal shift is caused by an anterior rotation of the hip bone about a horizontal axis near the sacroiliac joint. Received: 7 November 1998 Revised: 6 July 1999 Accepted: 9 September 1999     

A study on senile postural deformity

One hundred and twenty-eight aged people were divided into four groups to elucidate the mechanism of senile spinal deformity: extended type, S-shaped type, flexed type and hand-on-the-lap type. Except for S-shaped type, the major cause of anterior stooping of the spine was lumbar disc degeneration. The paraspinal muscles prevent anterior stooping. In case the muscles cannot compensate the anterior stooping, the spine can be taken back straight by posterior pelvic tilting. Posterior pelvic tilting is obtained by extension of the hip joint and flexion of the knee joint. Knee flexion up to 25 or 30 degrees serves to correct this pelvic tilting, but can cause patellofemoral osteoarthritic changes. When the knee of an aged person exceeds this angle, the individual will assume hand-on-the-lap posture. In aged people spinal deformity is thus compensated by the lower extremity. The spine and lower extremity should be regarded as a single musculoskeletal unit.     

Knee – spine syndrome: correlation between sacral inclination and patellofemoral joint pain

 Low back pain is an enormous clinical and public health problem. When we use spinal instrumentation, measurements of spinal and leg alignment in the standing position are thought to be important. Knee joint pain has also become an enormous clinical problem in the increasing elderly population. However, the correlation between spinal alignment, particularly sacral inclination, and knee joint pain is not clear. We examined the correlation between lumbar lordosis, sacral inclination, and patellofemoral joint pain in elderly subjects. Three hundred and ninety-nine people aged 50–85 years were examined. Clinical findings and physical status were determined. Measurements and determination of total lordosis from L1 to S1 and sacral inclination were made from standing radiographs. The knee joints were evaluated by using the standing knee flexion angle, radiographs, and the patellofemoral (PF) joint grinding test. Thirty-nine percent of subjects were excluded because they had definite osteo-arthritis at the femorotibial joints. Fifty-eight percent of the subjects had felt low back pain within the previous 3 months, and 16% of the subjects complained of PF joint grinding pain. Sixteen percent of the subjects showed knee flexion when standing. There was a significant difference in sacral inclination between the groups with and without PF joint grinding pain (P < 0.01). Sacral inclination was approximately 5° less in the knee flexion group. A correlation between sacral inclination and PF joint pain is defined, and its prevalence in the elderly is reported. We speculate that this phenomenon is caused by changing of lumbar alignment. In addition, we think this is a new pathological concept that we call the knee – spine syndrome. Received: July 23, 2001 / Accepted: May 2, 2002     

A comparison of muscular tightness in runners and nonrunners and the relation of muscular tightness to low back pain in runners

The focus of this experimental study was to compare muscular tightness at the hip between runners and nonrunners, and to determine if there is a relation between muscular tightness and low back pain in runners. Goniometric range of motion measurements of three hip movements, abduction, flexion with the knee extended, and extension, were taken on two subject populations, runners (N = 45), and nonrunners (n = 43), in order to determine tightness of the hip adductor, extensor, and flexor muscles, respectively. The mean score values obtained for each of the three measurements for both the right and left sides were compared for differences between the running and nonrunning populations and between male and female subjects. Runners were found to be significantly limited in the movement of hip flexion with the knee extended. The mean score values obtained for all male subjects for this movement were lower than those for all female subjects. The incidence of low back pain in runners was examined; however, no correlation could be drawn between muscular tightness in these subjects and low back pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1985;6(6):315-323.     

Access to pedestrian roads, daily activities, and physical performance of adolescents

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire and physical tests was performed. OBJECTIVE: To study how access to pedestrian roads and daily activities are related to low back strength, low back mobility, and hip mobility in adolescents. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although many authorities express concern about the passive lifestyle of adolescents, little is known about associations between daily activities and physical performance. METHODS: This study compared 38 youths in a community lacking access to pedestrian roads with 50 youths in nearby area providing excellent access to pedestrian roads. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain data about pedestrian roads, school journeys, and activities from the local authorities and the pupils. Low back strength was tested as static endurance strength, low back mobility by modified Schober techniques, and hip mobility by goniometer. For statistical analyses, a P value of 0.05 or less determined significance. RESULTS: In the area using school buses, the pupils had less low back extension, less hamstring flexibility, and less hip abduction, flexion, and extension than pupils in the area with pedestrian roads. Multivariate analyses showed no associations between walking or bicycling to school and anatomic function, but regular walking or bicycling to leisure-time activities associated positively with low back strength, low back extension, hip flexion, and extension. Distance by school bus associated negatively with hip abduction, hip flexion, hip extension, and hamstring flexibility (P<0.001). Time spent on television or computer associated negatively but insignificantly with low back strength, hamstring flexibility, hip abduction, and flexion (P<0.1). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that access to pedestrian roads and other lifestyle factors are associated with physical performance.     

Decreased joint and spinal mobility associated with low back pain in young adults

Anthropometric factors, spinal and limb-joint mobility, and trunk strength were measured in young students--55 men and 48 women (mean age 21.4 years, SD 1.6). Twenty-six of the men and 29 of the women had had back pain during the preceding year and they were compared with those without back pain. In the male back-pain group, extension, lateral flexion and the sum of mobility in the lumbar spine, and hip flexion and external rotation of the shoulders were significantly smaller. In the female back-pain group, extension and the sum of mobility in the thoracic spine, and extension, external rotation, and the sum of mobility in the hips were significantly diminished. Anthropometric factors and trunk strength had no significant relationship with a history of back pain except for a pronounced lordosis in women. The results suggest that ligamentous or capsular stiffness of the joints may be associated with low back pain in young adults.     

One-year prognosis in sick-listed low back pain patients with and without radiculopathy. Prognostic factors influencing pain and disability

Background contextPrevious research has documented various psychosocial risk factors with influence on outcome in low back pain (LBP) patients, but the value of clinical predictors has been less well documented.PurposeTo identify clinical and psychosocial risk factors at baseline influencing disability and pain at 1 year in LBP patients sick-listed 3 to 16 weeks, and to look for differences between nonspecific LBP and radiculopathy.Study designCohort study with 1-year follow-up based on a randomized clinical trial.Outcome measuresDisability and change of disability, pain and change in pain at 1 year.MethodsIn a randomized clinical study evaluating multidisciplinary versus brief intervention, 325 patients were followed for 1 year. At baseline, they completed a questionnaire and went through a clinical low back examination, including measure of forward flexion and side flexion as well as tender point examination, a method to estimate diffuse tenderness. Furthermore, degenerative changes on plain X-rays of the lumbar spine were quantified, and sciatica was investigated by magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsRadiculopathy was verified by magnetic resonance imaging in 111 (34%) patients. At 1 year, questions of disability in daily life activities and pain were answered by 60% and 67%, respectively. The intensity of back+leg pain and disability was closely correlated. Statistically significant predictors for both disability and back+leg pain at 1 year were intensity of back+leg pain, worrying and health anxiety, many tender points, and little or moderate exercise in leisure time. Two additional risk factors were identified in patients with radiculopathy: older age and “drinking alcohol less than once per month.” Furthermore, disability at 1 year was associated with initial disability and compensation claim, and back+leg pain at 1 year was associated with fear avoidance about physical activity and the duration of pain. Change in disability was more closely associated with return to work than change in pain. Disc degeneration was not associated with disability or pain at 1 year. General health was not statistically significantly associated with outcome when adjusted for back+leg pain, disability, and worrying and health anxiety.ConclusionsDisability and pain at 1 year were associated with baseline disability and pain, diffuse tenderness, worrying and health anxiety, compensation claim, fear avoidance, and baseline exercise habits. Only in patients with verified nerve root affection, older age, and restrained alcohol seemed to play a role. The multivariate models were insufficient in predicting disability and pain, partly because disability and pain were also strongly associated with return to work.     

The functional use of the reciprocal hip mechanism during gait for paraplegic patients walking in the Louisiana State University reciprocating gait orthosis.

Reciprocally linked orthoses used for paraplegic walking have some form of linkage between the two hip joints. It has been assumed that flexion of the swinging leg is driven by extension of the stance leg. The aims of this study were to investigate the moments generated around the hip joint by the two cables in a Louisiana State University Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (LSU-RGO). Six (6) subjects were recruited from the Regional Spinal Injuries Centre at Southport, who were experienced RGO users. The cables were fitted with strain gauged transducers to measure cable tension. Foot switches were used to divide the gait into swing and stance phases. A minimum of 20 steps were analysed for each subject. Moments about the hip joint for each phase of gait were calculated. There were no moments generated by the front cable in 4 of the subjects. In only 2 subjects did the cable generate a moment that could assist hip flexion during the swing phase. These moments were very low and at best could only have made a small contribution to limb flexion. The back cable generated moments that clearly prevented bilateral flexion. It was concluded that the front cable, as used by these experienced RGO users, did not aid flexion of the swinging limb.     

直腿抬高试验影响因素的逐步回归分析

目的研究直腿抬高试验(straightlegraisingtest,SLR)结果与患者年龄、性别、病程、椎间盘突出率等因素之间的关系。方法对505例腰椎间盘突出病例的SLR影响因素进行逐步回归分析,男281例,女224例;年龄26~69岁,平均42.1岁。单间隙突出(L4-5或L5S1)337例,多间隙突出168例。321例行CT检查,184例行MR检查。结果SLR与急或慢性病程、椎间盘突出率、侧隐窝是否狭窄、椎间盘突出位置(中央型、侧旁型)、间歇性跛行距离等相关;而与年龄、性别、民族(汉族与维吾尔、哈萨克、回族比较)、椎间盘突出大小、单或多间隙突出、侧旁突出的根前、根腋、根肩型不相关;L4-5与L5S1椎间盘突出的SLR结果差异有非常显著性(P<0.01)。结论SLR受诸多因素影响,临床上不能将SLR结果作为判定椎间盘突出严重程度的重要指标。其相关因素为急或慢性病程、椎间盘突出率、侧隐窝是否狭窄、椎间盘突出位置及间歇性跛行距离。