Abnormal Postural Alignment Of The Athletes With Low Back Pain

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Low back pain is one of the common symptom in athletes. A lot of athletes with low back pain may have apophysial joint injury, herniated disc, and/or the problem of postural alignment. PURPOSE This study was to identify the correlation between low back pain and abnormal postural alignment such as spinal deformity, lateral pelvic tilt, and leg length discrepancy. METHODS Twenty six athletes with low back pain were evaluated. We measured Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) for pain intensity, Cobb's angle for spinal curvature on coronal plane, and the angles formed where two lines cross each other; the line which draws both iliac crest and the line of the lower margin of 5th vertebra for pelvic tilt. Leg length from the center of the femoral head to the center of the medial malleolus was measured. We also investigated the rotation of the vertebrae and the pelvis. Data analysis was done by Spearman's methods to find out the correlation among the variables. RESULTS The mean value of Cobb's angle, pelvic tilt angle, and leg length discrepancy were 6.96 ±5.05°, 2.76 ±2.37°, and 0.58 ±0.42cm respectively. There was no significant correlation between the VAS and Cobb's angle, pelvic tilt, and leg length discrepancy of each. Correlation between Cobb's angle and the angle of pelvic tilt was found significantly (r=.494, p<.05). All subjects had the vertebral and the pelvic rotation. CONCLUSIONS Most of the athletes with low back pain have slightly abnormal postural alignment on coronal plane. However, we didn't find the correlation between the low back pain and the postural alignment.