COMPARISON OF SPINOPELVIC PARAMETERS AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS, LUMBAR FRACTURES AND LUMBAR SPINAL STABILIZATION

Abstract

Introduction: In elderly individuals, sagittal plane deformities may be iatrogenic due to aging. Fractures due to osteoporosis, as well as previous surgeries, can cause resistant lower back pain. As a result of pathologies, degeneration can occur in the spinal joints, excessive tension in the paravertebral muscles, and compensatory changes occur in the pelvis respectively. These changes were evaluated with spinopelvic parameters. Our aim was to compare the spinopelvic parameters in patients over 65 years of age who presented to the clinic with lower back pain. Materials and Methods: Measurements of the angles for spinopelvic parameters characterizing the alignment of the sacrum (sacral slope), the pelvis (pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence) and the lumbar lordosis were calculated based on X-ray imaging analysis. Results: The records of 122 patients were included. Their mean age was 73.5 ± 5.70 years. Patients were divided into three groups: as those with spondylosis, lumbar fractures and lumbar stabilization. While a significant decrease was observed in lumbar lordosis in the group with lumbar vertebral fractures (p = 0.019), no significant difference was observed between the groups in pelvic incidence, sacral slope and or pelvic tilt (p > 0.05). No gender differences in spinopelvic parameters was observed. No differences were detected in spinopelvic parameters between age groups below and above 75 years. Conclusion: A remarkable decrease in lumbar lordosis was seen in patients with lumbar fractures. Careful evaluation of spinopelvic parameters before planning the treatment can increase the probability of successful treatment of resistant lower back pain in the elderly. Keywords: Geriatrics; Spinal Curvatures; Spinal Fractures; Fracture Fixation; Spondylosis.