Lumbar lordosis

Lumbar lordosis is a key postural component that has interested both clinicians and researchers for many years. Despite its wide use in assessing postural abnormalities, there remain many unanswered questions regarding lumbar lordosis measurements. Therefore, in this article we reviewed different factors associated with the lordosis angle based on existing literature and determined normal values of lordosis. We reviewed more than 120 articles that measure and describe the different factors associated with the lumbar lordosis angle. Because of a variety of factors influencing the evaluation of lumbar lordosis such as how to position the patient and the number of vertebrae included in the calculation, we recommend establishing a uniform method of evaluating the lordosis angle. Based on our review, it seems that the optimal position for radiologic measurement of lordosis is standing with arms supported while shoulders are flexed at a 30° angle. There is evidence that many factors, such as age, gender, body mass index, ethnicity, and sport, may affect the lordosis angle, making it difficult to determine uniform normal values. Normal lordosis should be determined based on the specific characteristics of each individual; we therefore presented normal lordosis values for different groups/populations. There is also evidence that the lumbar lordosis angle is positively and significantly associated with spondylolysis and isthmic spondylolisthesis. However, no association has been found with other spinal degenerative features. Inconclusive evidence exists for association between lordosis and low back pain. Additional studies are needed to evaluate these associations. The optimal lordotic range remains unknown and may be related to a variety of individual factors such as weight, activity, muscular strength, and flexibility of the spine and lower extremities.     

Lumbar spondyloptosis

Summary This paper reports the long term results of 3 patients with lumbosacral spondyloptosis who were treated by closed reduction, followed by 6 to 12 weeks plaster cast immobilisation, posterior fusion and finally anterior fusion after a further 3 to 6 months. The follow up was from 7.5 to 10.5 years. Spondyloptosis was diagnosed by estimating the slip angle and the percentage slip. The initial slip angle ranged from 40° to 55° with 46%–91% slip. The average improvement in the slip angle after reduction was 82% with 74% improvement in slip. There was some loss of correction in every case by the end of treatment: the average improvement in slip angle was 59% (36%–78%) with an average 52% (25%–69%) correction of slip. Fusion was obtained in every case and the clinical results were very satisfactory.

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Résumé Cet article rapporte les résultats à long terme obtenus chez trois malades porteurs d'une spondyloptose lombo-sacrée, traités par réduction à foyer fermé, suivie d'une immobilisation en coquille plâtrée durant 6 à 12 semaines, puis par arthrodèse postérieure et finalement arthrodèse antérieure dans un délai de 3 à 6 mois. Le recul est de 7 ans et demi à 10 ans et demi. La spondyloptose a été évaluée par la mesure de l'angle et du pourcentage de glissement. L'angle initial de glissement variait de 40° à 55° avec un glissement de 46 à 91%. Le gain moyen de l'angle de glissement après réduction était de 82% avec une amélioration du glissement de 74%. Il y eut un certain degré de perte de la correction dans tous les cas en fin de traitement: le gain moyen de l'angle de glissement était de 59% (36 à 78%), avec une correction moyenne du glissement de 52% (25 à 69%). La fusion a été obtenue dans tous les cas et les résultats sont satisfaisants sur le plan clinique.

     

Lumbar spondylolisthesis

Summary The paper gives a survey, based on literature reports and our own experiences in 59 cases. According to Kilian (1853) spondylolisthesis is defined as ventral slipping of a vertebral body together with the pedicles. In pseudospondylolisthesis (Junghanns) the whole vertebra slips ventrally.Elongation of the isthmus of the pedicle or a cleft in the interarticular portion are prerequisites for spondylolisthesis. A dysplastic origin during childhood and adolescence is assumed. The relation of males to females is 2 1.Evolution of spondylolisthesis occurs during childhood and adolescence. The slipping process is finished in adults. Most often the condition is encountered in the lumbar, in particular in the lumbosacral, region. A third to one half of patients with spondylolysis (5–7%) demonstrate spondylolisthesis.Spondylolisthesis is usually an accidental finding, although the condition may lead to low back pain and sciatica. The earlier symptoms arise the gloomier usually is the prognosis. Very rarely a herniated disc is the cause of symptoms. Sciatica is mostly due to irritation of a nerve root by compression on the vertebral edge. Low back pain is caused by arthrogenic, pseudoarthrotic, and spondylotic degenerative disease.Diagnosis is established by AP, lateral, and oblique X-rays, and functional investigations. Myelogram and ossovenogram demonstrate compression of caudal sac and nerve roots.Conservative treatment consists of drugs and physical therapy, and cures one fifth of the patients. The best operative results are found after decompression and stabilisation (Cloward).Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. H. W. Pia on the occasion of his 60th anniversary.     

改良经后路椎体间融合术治疗腰椎滑脱症

目的探讨单枚Cage加自体骨块椎间融合的改良经后路椎体间融合(PLIF)治疗腰椎滑脱症的疗效。方法自2000年12月～2006年6月,笔者在椎弓根螺钉系统复位固定的基础上用1枚Cage加1块自体骨椎间融合的手术方法治疗腰椎滑脱症46例,崩裂性滑脱24例,退变性滑脱22例。其中男25例,女21例;年龄29～67岁。部位:L3、42例,L4、523例,L5S121例。根据Meyerding滑移分度法:Ⅰ度22例,Ⅱ度19例,Ⅲ度5例。结果随访8～72个月,平均25个月。根据Nakai疗效评定标准:优23例,良22例,可1例。术后滑脱复位44例,Ⅲ度恢复到Ⅰ度2例。结论Cage加自体骨块融合的改良PLIF手术治疗腰椎滑脱症,具有固定坚强、较好维持椎间高度、良好的椎间骨融合、疗效确实等优点。     

自制器械经皮髓核摘除术治疗腰椎间盘突出症：（11例报告）

经皮髓核摘除术治疗腰椎间盘突出症国外已较广泛的应用于临床．取得了满意的效果．此方法主要适用于单纯突出和没有上下潜行的韧带下突出．作者采用自行设计的器械治疗腰椎间盘突出症１１例，其中优７例，良２例．讨论了此方法的手术适应症，手术要点，作用机理和并发症．     

Lumbar hemangioendothelioma

A case of hemangioendothelioma encountered in the lumbar region of a child is presented. Clinically, the tumor could not be differentiated from a dermoid cyst. This lesion must be included in the differential diagnosis of benign lumbar tumors.     

Lumbar microdiscectomy

Lumbar disc herniations are seen frequently in pain management practices. Specialists are well versed in the nonsurgical treatments for lumbar radiculopathy. Although most disc herniations would resolve without the need for surgery; it should be considered when patients have refractory pain or motor deficit. The following article discusses the surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation—microdiscectomy. Pertinent literature has been reviewed and the surgical outcomes are highlighted.     

Lumbar Corsets Can Decrease Lumbar Motion in Golf Swing

Swinging a golf club includes the rotation and extension of the lumbar spine. Golf-related low back pain has been associated with degeneration of the lumbar facet and intervertebral discs, and with spondylolysis. Reflective markers were placed directly onto the skin of 11young male amateur golfers without a previous history of back pain. Using a VICON system (Oxford Metrics, U.K.), full golf swings were monitored without a corset (WOC), with a soft corset (SC), and with a hard corset (HC), with each subject taking 3 swings. Changes in the angle between the pelvis and the thorax (maximum range of motion and angular velocity) in 3 dimensions (lumbar rotation, flexion-extension, and lateral tilt) were analyzed, as was rotation of the hip joint. Peak changes in lumbar extension and rotation occurred just after impact with the ball. The extension angle of the lumbar spine at finish was significantly lower under SC (38°) or HC (28°) than under WOC (44°) conditions (p < 0.05). The maximum angular velocity after impact was significantly smaller under HC (94°/sec) than under SC (177°/sec) and WOC (191° /sec) conditions, as were the lumbar rotation angles at top and finish. In contrast, right hip rotation angles at top showed a compensatory increase under HC conditions. Wearing a lumbar corset while swinging a golf club can effectively decrease lumbar extension and rotation angles from impact until the end of the swing. These effects were significantly enhanced while wearing an HC.

Key points

• Rotational and extension forces on the lumbar spine may cause golf-related low back pain
• Wearing lumbar corsets during a golf swing can effectively decrease lumbar extension and rotation angles and angular velocity.
• Wearing lumbar corsets increased the rotational motion of the hip joint while reducing the rotation of the lumbar spine.

Key words: Golf, back pain, motion analysis, orthosis, corset