传统入路与椎旁肌间隙入路置入椎弓根螺钉治疗胸腰段骨折

背景：胸腰椎骨折治疗上多采用椎弓根螺钉棒系统固定,传统后正中入路广泛剥离椎旁肌,部分患者在治疗后出现腰背疼痛。 目的：观察经椎旁肌间隙入路与传统入路治疗胸腰段骨折的疗效及对多裂肌影响。 方法：选择安徽医科大学附属省立医院骨科2010年6月至2012年6月收治的45例胸腰段骨折患者,依据Denis骨折分型,压缩型骨折11例,爆裂型骨折34例,并且椎管占位小于1/3,后柱均完整,ASIA分级均为E级,无神经症状。随机分为椎旁肌间隙入路21例和传统正中入路24例,比较两组患者围手术期参数及影像学指标,治疗后进行目测类比评分系统评分以及6个月随访腰背痛日本骨科协会(JOA)评分,比较两组治疗前及治疗后1,3,5 d肌酸激酶水平,随访时行多裂肌肌内静息肌电图评估。 结果与结论：治疗后两组在Cobb角恢复上差异无显著性意义,椎旁肌间隙入路组手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、肌酸激酶水平及术后目测类比评分低于传统正中入路组,两组比较差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05);6个月随访腰背痛JOA评分椎旁肌间隙入路组低于传统正中入路组,但差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。6个月随访行多裂肌肌电图检查,椎旁肌间隙入路组出现失神经纤颤电位少于传统正中入路组,差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。结果可见经椎旁肌间隙入路疗效确切,具有创伤小、出血少,手术时间短等优点。     

经椎旁肌间隙入路椎弓根钉棒系统置入内固定治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折： 与传统方法比较

背景：采用经椎旁肌间隙入路应用于胸腰椎爆裂骨折的手术治疗实现了经椎旁肌间隙入路行椎弓根钉棒植入及整复固定。 目的：比较经椎旁肌间隙入路与传统后正中入路手术治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折的临床疗效。 方法：纳入53例无明显神经损伤且后凸大于20°和/或椎体前缘高度塌陷大于50%的胸腰椎爆裂骨折患者。分别采用经椎旁肌间隙入路(n=28)及传统后正中入路(n=25)进行治疗。 结果与结论：与传统后正中入路比较,经椎旁肌间隙入路治疗的患者疼痛目测类比评分明显降低(P < 0.05),而在伤椎Cobb角改善、椎体前缘高度恢复和椎管正中矢径变化方面两组差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。说明经椎旁肌间隙入路内固定治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折可以达到与传统后正中入路治疗相同的效果,且可促进患者功能恢复。     

骨质疏松性腰椎压缩性骨折的椎间盘和椎旁肌肉MRI变化及意义

目的 研究骨质疏松性腰椎压缩性骨折的椎间盘、椎旁肌肉磁共振成像(MRI)变化及意义。方法 回顾性分析我院85例腰椎压缩性骨折患者的临床资料,将45例存在骨质疏松的患者纳入观察组,40例无骨质疏松的患者纳入对照组。比较2组患者的Pfirrmann分级、L₁～L₅椎旁肌肉的相关指标,包括双侧多裂肌横截面积、双侧竖脊肌横截面积、椎体横截面积、脂肪变性比例。结果 2组Pfirrmann分级比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。对照组L₁～L₅双侧多裂肌横截面积、双侧竖脊肌横截面积显著大于观察组,L₁～L₅脂肪变性比例显著低于观察组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);2组L₁～L₅椎体横截面积比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 骨质疏松性腰椎压缩性骨折患者的腰椎间盘退变程度明显高于单纯腰椎压缩性骨折患者,其椎旁肌肉MRI变化主要表现为双侧多裂肌、竖脊肌横截面积减小和脂肪变性比例升高。     

腰椎手术Wiltse入路准确进入多裂肌与最长肌间隙的解剖学基础

目的　探讨腰椎手术Wiltse入路的解剖学基础,提高该入路的稳定性和可操作性。 方法　成人标本20具,通过解剖观察双侧竖脊肌腱膜与多裂肌的关系;最长肌与竖脊肌腱膜的关系;多裂肌和最长肌间隙是否清晰,是否存在稳定的解剖标志;竖脊肌腱膜表面及其深面是否还存在其它结构可作为多裂肌和最长肌之间隙的解剖标志。 结果　多裂肌虽有少许纤维与竖脊肌腱膜相连接,仍可视为在竖脊肌腱膜上无起点;在腰部,最长肌在竖脊肌腱膜形成起点,起点的内缘自内上向外下斜行,并发出筋膜向深部延伸副突、横突,由此形成多裂肌与最长肌之间的分隔;在所有20具标本的左右两侧,以此隔膜为解剖标志向深部钝性分离,直接、顺利到达关节突;在竖脊肌腱膜表面未发现任何可作为多裂肌和竖脊肌间隙标志的解剖结构,剥离竖脊肌腱膜后在最长肌和多裂肌表面亦未发现可定位二者间隙的解剖标志;在多裂肌和最长肌间隙内,最长肌的内侧面可见清晰的节段神经及伴随血管。 结论　竖脊肌腱膜在最长肌内侧向深部的延续是腰椎手术Wiltse入路准确进入多裂肌和最长肌间隙的可靠解剖标志。     

Wiltse入路在脊柱后路手术中的应用

1968年,Wiltse等[1]首次提出经多裂肌与最长肌之间的间隙到达关节突和横突,实现腰椎后外侧的植骨融合,临床上称这一手术入路为“Wiltse入路”或“椎旁肌间隙入路”。经过近半个世纪的发展,目前该手术入路在临床上应用非常广泛,与传统的后正中入路比较,能够更容易到达关节突关节外侧和横突根部,已用于后路腰椎融合(非融合)、胸腰椎骨折手术及椎间隙感染甚至肿瘤性疾病的外科治疗。该手术入路是否适合所有的腰椎融合(非融合)术、胸腰椎骨折手术,而且对于腰椎感染甚至肿瘤性疾病是否适合还有争论。本文主要从 Wiltse入路的历史回顾、局部解剖和临床应用作一综述。     

腰椎间盘突出患者腰椎CT三维重建影像的解剖学测量及其在单边双通道内镜手术中的临床意义

目的 探讨腰椎间盘突出症患者腰椎CT三维重建影像解剖学特点及其在单边双通道内镜手术中的意义。方法 横断面调查研究。纳入安徽医科大学第二附属医院骨科2019年1月—2020年6月收治的腰椎间盘突出症的患者50例,其中男32例、女18例,年龄23~69（64.1±13.4）岁。病变节段：L_2/3 1例,L_4/5 18例,L₅/S₁ 23例,L_3/4合并L_4/5 1例,L_4/5合并L₅/S₁ 6例。均采用单边双通道内镜辅助下腰椎间盘突出髓核摘除术治疗。术前患者均行腰椎CT扫描及三维容积重建,观察患者腰椎整体形态结构,使用放射工作站软件测量两侧椎板夹角、椎板宽度、关节突关节矢状化程度以及椎板下移程度,并进行腰椎节段间及侧别间比较。结果 （1）棘突与两侧椎板呈“人”字形平滑连接,两侧椎板向两侧弧形展开。两侧椎板夹角自L₃至L₅逐渐增大,分别为70°±11°、78°±12°和92°±13°,差异有统计学意义（F=42.25,P<0.001）。（2）椎板下缘向两侧延伸,椎板宽度自L₃至L₅逐渐增宽,左侧分别为（14.0±2.4）、（15.7±2.6）和（18.7±2.8）mm,右侧分别为（14.4±2.4）、（16.4±2.3）和（19.2±2.8）mm,各节段椎板宽度右侧均大于左侧,差异均有统计学意义（t=2.13、4.00、2.78,P值均<0.05）。（3）椎板末端逐渐增宽膨大成关节面,关节面L_3/4~L₅/S₁逐渐由矢状化转变为冠状化,左侧分别为60°±10°、50°±9°和42°±11°,右侧分别为58°±11°、48°±10°和40°±13°。同一节段左右两侧对比,在L_3/4差异有统计学意义（t=2.92,P=0.005）,在L_4/5及L₅/S₁差异均无统计学意义（t=1.29、1.79,P值均>0.05）。（4）椎板下移程度自L₃至L₅逐渐减小,分别为（6.8±2.1）、（5.1±2.3）和（2.4±2.3）mm,差异有统计学意义（F=50.39,P<0.001）。结论 腰椎间盘突出症患者从L₃到L₅,两侧椎板夹角逐渐增大、椎板宽度逐渐增大、关节突关节逐渐由矢状化转变为冠状化、椎板下移程度逐渐减小。了解腰椎解剖的节段性变化有助于单边双通道内镜手术的顺利进行、椎板去除范围的确定、对关节突关节的保护以及椎间盘位置的确定。     

退行性腰椎侧凸椎管形态学特征及其与脊柱-骨盆参数的相关性分析

目的 测量退行性腰椎侧凸(degenerative lumbar scoliosis,DLS)患者椎管形态学参数,分析其变化规律及其与脊柱-骨盆参数的相关性。方法 收集DLS患者50例,分别在X线、CT及MRI上测量腰弯Cobb角、腰椎前凸角、顶椎位置、顶椎偏移距离、顶椎旋转度、顶椎侧方和前方滑移距离、骨盆投射角(pelvic incidence,PI)、骨盆倾斜角(pelvic tilt,PT)、骶骨倾斜角(sacral slope,SS)、凹侧和凸侧椎间孔高度、宽度和横截面积、硬膜囊横截面积、横径和前后径,分析椎管形态学变化规律及其与脊柱-骨盆参数的相关性。结果DLS患者的顶椎位于L₂～L₃椎体;其椎管相关参数最小处均位于L_4/5节段;椎间孔相关参数最小处均位于L_2/3节段。DLS患者L_2/3水平椎管及椎间孔的形态学参数与年龄、腰弯Cobb角及顶椎偏移距离存在相关性(P<0.05);而L₅/S₁水平椎间孔的形态学参数与PI、...     

正常人群胸腰段椎体楔变指数的MRI测量

背景：虽然MRI在脊柱创伤中广泛应用,但国内尚未建立正常人群胸腰段椎体的MRI形态学参数。目的：利用MRI观测健康人群胸腰段椎体的楔变指数,为胸腰段压缩骨折和正常人楔形变的鉴别诊断提供MRI形态学依据。方法：征集2011年11月至2013年8月20-50岁健康志愿者120名,利用1.5T磁共振成像仪对志愿者行胸腰段扫描。在快速自旋回波T2WI正中矢状位上测量T₁₁-L₂椎体前缘高径、后缘高径,并计算楔形变指数。结果与结论：T₁₁-L₂椎体楔形变指数分别为0.91±0.05,0.91±0.05,0.88±0.08,0.91±0.08。T₁₁-L₂椎体存在楔形变的椎体个数分别为103个(23.52%),112个(25.57%),115个(26.26%),108个(24.66%)。各年龄组间楔形变指数值差异无显著性意义,但年龄较大者楔形变指数较小。男性志愿者楔形变指数值小于女性志愿者。重体力劳动者T₁₁、L₂楔变指数小于非重体力劳动者。楔形变指数与身高及体质量指数呈负相关。结果可见正常人群胸腰段椎体存在不同程度的楔形改变,并且楔变程度与多种因素有关。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程全文链接：     

腰椎L3-L5三维有限元模型的有效性验证

背景：建立精确的有限元模型是对脊柱进行有限元力学分析的重要基础,精确的腰椎有限元模型报道较少。 目的：采用正常人腰椎CT资料建立L3-L5三维有限元模型,并进行有效性验证。 方法：健康男性志愿者,39岁,身高175 cm,体质量65 kg,采用16排螺旋CT机对L₃-L₅节段进行扫描,得到1.25 mm层厚的 CT图片共101张,Geomagic9.0软件下建立几何实体模型,然后确定单元类型、划分有限元网格,建立有限元模型进行加载计算。 结果与结论：建立了正常人L₃-L₅三维有限元模型,整个模型共有213 736个节点和799 779个单元。该模型L₃-L₄,L₄-L₅节段活动范围与文献尸体标本生物力学测试结果一致,验证了模型的有效性,可用于实验研究。     

不同腰椎生理曲度下牵引的三维有限元分析

文题释义：腰椎牵引：是指令患者平卧于治疗床上,使用束带将患者前臂固定,达到医者固定患者双臂的目的;波浪式滚动气柱以腰背部为作用点进行顶推,控制多层气柱叠加高度使受试者腰部逐渐过伸牵引脊柱关节,实现对软组织的牵伸,并结合自身重力过伸牵引脊柱关节,能够增大椎间隙及调整椎小关节,最终达到理筋整复的作用。 三维有限元分析：是指在获取腰椎的CT图像数据,并导入到Mimics等软件当中建立的有限元模型基础上,将L₃的发生的位移变化带入MSC.Nastam软件中,高度仿真模拟人体在不同生理曲度下,计算分析出全腰椎各节段椎体、椎间关节、椎间盘、前纵韧带的应力值及分布情况的变化。 背景：近年来利用有限元分析方法研究腰椎生物力学成为热点,研究认为腰椎生理性前凸可减少腰椎间盘压力负荷,而对腰椎起保护效应。 目的：研究腰椎在正常生理曲度、屈曲位及最大过伸位下进行腰椎牵引时对L₁-L₅腰椎各节段的生物力学效应,并评估腰椎牵引的最佳生理曲度。 方法：选取1名健康男性志愿者,26岁,身高174 cm,体质量60 kg,既往体健,排除腰椎骨骼异常疾病。以受试者L₃为作用点徒手操作南少林倒盖金被法,利用DR机分别获得受试者腰椎起始位和最大过伸位的腰椎侧位片,构建全腰椎有限元模型。计算腰椎不同生理曲度下全腰椎各节段椎体、椎间关节、椎间盘、前纵韧带的应力值及分布情况的变化。研究方案的实施符合福建中医药大学附属康复医院相关伦理要求,受试者对试验过程完全知情同意。 结果与结论：①模拟腰椎前屈、后伸,左右侧弯,左右旋转6种工况活动度：L₁-L₂的前屈与后伸活动度之和为9.31°,左右侧弯9.84°,左右旋转4.43°;L₂-L₃：前屈与后伸10.22°,左右侧弯12.35°,左右旋转4.57°;L₃-L₄的前屈与后伸的活动度之和为11.20°,左右侧弯11.63°,左右旋转5.32°;L₄-L₅前屈与后伸活动度之和13.16°,左右侧弯11.58°,左右旋转5.05°;②在正常生理曲度牵引腰椎时,腰椎各个结构的应力值远大于过伸位牵引的应力值;前纵韧带应力值正常曲度是2.47 MPa,过伸位是21.20 MPa;L₃的椎体应力值达到最大,是过伸位牵引应力值的4倍;L₂-L₃的椎间关节及椎间盘的应力值在腰椎各个节段是最大的;③结果说明,腰椎在过伸位较正常生理曲度牵引下椎体、椎间关节、椎间盘的压力减轻更大,而且前纵韧带的压力值始终在安全范围内。腰椎在过伸位牵引时可能获得更好的临床疗效,同时具备一定的安全性。 ORCID: 0000-0002-4468-1464(李民) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

Anger Management Style and Hostility: Predicting Symptom-Specific Physiological Reactivity Among Chronic Low Back Pain Patients

It was hypothesized that anger management style (anger-in or anger-out) and hostility affect the aggravation of chronic low back pain (CLBP) through symptom-specific (i.e., lower paraspinal muscle) reactivity during stress. Subjects were 102 CLBP patients who performed mental arithmetic and an Anger Recall Interview (ARI) while trapezius and lower paraspinal EMG, SBP, DBP, and HR were recorded. Results showed anger-in × hostility and anger-out × gender interactions for lower paraspinal but not trapezius reactivity, and only during the ARI. Further analyses revealed that (1) hostility was related positively to lower paraspinal reactivity among high anger suppressors, (2) hostility was related negatively to lower paraspinal reactivity among low anger suppressors, and (3) anger expression was related positively to lower paraspinal reactivity only among men. Anger management style and hostility may contribute to the exacerbation of CLBP by influencing stress reactivity only in muscles near the site of pain or injury.     

Thoracolumbar fascia does not influence proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscle spindles in the cat

The thoracolumbar fascia attaches to the lumbar spinous processes and encloses the paraspinal muscles to form a muscle compartment. Because muscle spindles can respond to transverse forces applied at a muscle's surface, we were interested in the mechanical effects this fascia may have on proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscles during vertebral movement. The discharge of paraspinal muscle spindles at rest and in response to muscle history were investigated in the presence and absence of the thoracolumbar fascia in anesthetized cats. Muscle-history was induced by positioning the L₆ vertebra in conditioning directions that lengthened and shortened the paraspinal muscles. The vertebra was then returned to an intermediate position for testing the spindles. Neither resting discharge ( P  = 0.49) nor the effects of muscle history ( P  >   0.30) was significantly different with the fascia intact vs. removed. Our data showed that the thoracolumbar fascia did not influence proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscles spindles during small passive vertebral movements in cats. In addition, comparison of the transverse threshold pressures needed to stimulate our sample of muscle spindles in the cat with the thoracolumbar fascia compartmental pressures measured in humans during previous studies suggests that the thoracolumbar fascia likely does not affect proprioceptive signaling from lumbar paraspinal muscle spindles in humans.     

Paraspinal muscle responses during sudden upper limb loading

The paraspinal muscle responses for unexpected and expected upper limb loading were investigated by surface EMG of 20 healthy volunteers. The simultaneous trunk and hand accelerations with paraspinal, biceps brachii and soleus muscles EMG were measured in four subjects. A short-latency response of ~50 ms was observed in paraspinal muscles. The latency was ~3 ms shorter (P=0.017) during "expected" trials on average and the latency shortened during the first three expected trials (P=0.02). Anticipation also decreased the magnitude of the response (P<0.05). Trunk movement initiated ~35 ms and ~50 ms after the impact of the load at T6 and T12 levels, respectively. In conclusion, visual expectation shortens the latency and decreases the magnitude of the paraspinal muscle response to sudden upper limb loading. Also, the trial repetition has an effect on reflex latency if visual information is available. These results indicate that anticipation modulates the reflex control of paraspinal muscles, which may be significant in understanding spinal function. Electronic Publication     

Multiple melanotic schwannoma

Melanotic schwannoma is a rare pigmented neural tumor most commonly occurring in the paraspinal region. In a small minority of instances, melanotic schwannoma may have multiple nodules. Here, a 52-year-old woman is presented with multiple melanotic schwannomas of paraspinal region.     

Postoperative changes in paraspinal muscle volume: comparison between paramedian interfascial and midline approaches for lumbar fusion

In this study, we compared the paramedian interfascial approach (PIA) and the traditional midline approach (MA) for lumbar fusion to determine which approach resulted in the least amount of postoperative back muscle atrophy. We performed unilateral transforaminal posterior lumbar interbody fusion via MA on the symptomatic side and pedicle screw fixation via PIA on the other side in the same patient. We evaluated the damage to the paraspinal muscle after MA and PIA by measuring the preoperative and postoperative paraspinal muscle volume in 26 patients. The preoperative and postoperative cross-sectional area, thickness, and width of the multifidus muscle were measured by computed tomography. The degree of postoperative paraspinal muscle atrophy was significantly greater on the MA side than on the contralateral PIA side (-20.7% and -4.8%, respectively, p<0.01). In conclusion, the PIA for lumbar fusion yielded successful outcomes for the preservation of paraspinal muscle in these 26 patients. We suggest that the success of PIA is due to less manipulation and retraction of the paraspinal muscle and further studies on this technique may help confirm whether less muscle injury has positive effects on the long-term clinical outcome.     

Identification and prediction of transitional vertebrae on imaging studies: anatomical significance of paraspinal structures

The aim of our study was to examine the locational distribution of paraspinal structures on MRI and to determine any predictable parameters that may be used for the identification of transitional vertebra (TV). We enrolled 534 patients who underwent MRI of their lumbosacral spine. The locations of the paraspinal structures, such as aortic bifurcation (AB), IVC confluence (IC), right renal artery (RRA), celiac trunk (CT), SMA root (SR), and iliolumbar ligament (ILL), were determined using "cross link" in PACS. We also assessed the morphology of the TV. The MRI showed that the most common site of the paraspinal structures in the normal group was AB at the lower L4, IC at the L4-5 disc space, RRA at the L1-2 disc space, CT at the T12-L1 disc space, SR at the upper L1, and ILL at the L5. The frequency of TV was 23.8% (lumbarization, 9.9%; sacralization, 13.9%). The paraspinal structures of the S1 lumbarization were positioned more toward the caudal location, whereas the paraspinal structures of the L5 sacralization were positioned more toward the cephalic location (P < 0.01). In conclusion, AB, IC, RRA, CT, SR, and ILL are useful landmarks for predicting the presence of TV on MRI. TV is possible when these paraspinal structures are in positions outside of the frequent locations.     

Lumbar paraspinal electromyographic activity during trunk extension exercises on two types of exercise machines

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare lumbar paraspinal muscle activity during trunk extension exercises on two lumbar extension machines with different types of pelvic stabilization mechanisms. Thirteen healthy male (n = 9) and female (n = 4) volunteers aged 21-24 (22.6 +/- 1.4) were recruited in a university setting. Surface electromyographic activity was recorded bilaterally from the L3-4 paraspinal region during trunk extension exercises performed on two different exercise machines. One machine, the MedX, has a complex pelvic stabilization mechanism. The other machine, the Cybex, has a relatively simple pelvic stabilization mechanism. There was no significant difference between lumbar paraspinal electromyographic activity during trunk extension on the MedX compared to the Cybex dynamic variable resistance trunk extension machine. These results suggest that a complex pelvic stabilization mechanism does not significantly enhance the level of activation of the lumbar paraspinal muscles during lumbar extension exercises. Thus, a less expensive trunk extension machine with a less sophisticated pelvic stabilization mechanism, such as the Cybex, can be used to train the lumbar paraspinal muscles. This is important to rehabilitation clinicians because these machines are often more readily available and easier for patients to use. Further research is warranted to determine the applicability of these findings to a patient population.     

Paraspinal abscess communicated with epidural abscess after extra-articular facet joint injection

Facet joint injection is considered to be a safe procedure. There have been some reported cases of facet joint pyogenic infection and also 3 cases of facet joint infection spreading to paraspinal muscle and epidural space due to intra-articular injections. To the author's knowledge, paraspinal and epidural abscesses after facet joint injection without facet joint pyogenic infection have not been reported. Here we report a case in which extra-articular facet joint injection resulted in paraspinal and epidural abscesses without facet joint infection. A 50-year-old man presenting with acute back pain and fever was admitted to the hospital. He had the history of diabetes mellitus and had undergone the extra-articular facet joint injection due to a facet joint syndrome diagnosis at a private clinic 5 days earlier. Physical examination showed tenderness over the paraspinal region. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) demonstrated the paraspinal abscess around the fourth and fifth spinous processes with an additional epidural abscess compressing the thecal sac. The facet joints were preserved. The laboratory results showed a white blood cell count of 14.9 x 10(9) per liter, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 52 mm/hour, and 10.88 mg/dL of C-reactive protein. Laminectomy and drainage were performed. The pus was found in the paraspinal muscles, which was communicated with the epidural space through a hole in the ligamentum flavum. Cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. Paraspinal abscess communicated with epidural abscess is a rare complication of extra-articular facet joint injection demonstrating an abscess formation after an invasive procedure near the spine is highly possible.     

Pain catastrophizing,physiological indexes,and chronic pain severity: tests of mediation and moderation models

Catastrophizing about pain is related to elevated pain severity and poor adjustment among chronic pain patients, but few physiological mechanisms by which pain catastrophizing maintains and exacerbates pain have been explored. We hypothesized that resting levels of lower paraspinal muscle tension and/or lower paraspinal and cardiovascular reactivity to emotional arousal may: (a) mediate links between pain catastrophizing and chronic pain intensity; (b) moderate these links such that only patients described by certain combinations of pain catastrophizing and physiological indexes would report pronounced chronic pain. Chronic low back pain patients (N = 97) participated in anger recall and sadness recall interviews while lower paraspinal and trapezius EMG and systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Mediation models were not supported. However, pain catastrophizing significantly interacted with resting lower paraspinal muscle tension to predict pain severity such that high catastrophizers with high resting lower paraspinal tension reported the greatest pain. Pain catastrophizing also interacted with SBP, DBP and HR reactivity to affect pain such that high catastrophizers who showed low cardiovascular reactivity to the interviews reported the greatest pain. Results support a multi-variable profile approach to identifying pain catastrophizers at greatest risk for pain severity by virtue of resting muscle tension and cardiovascular stress function.