Relationship Between Radiographic Lumbosacral Spine Mensuration and Chronic Low Back Pain Intensity: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate correlative factors affecting chronic low back pain (CLBP), with special emphasis on the radiographic postural findings in the sagittal lumbosacral spine. MethodsA cross-sectional study alongside a randomized trial was conducted. Standing lateral lumbar spine radiographs from 352 patients with CLBP enrolled in a randomized trial were analyzed and radiographic mensuration of lumbar lordosis, lumbosacral disc angle, and sacral inclination performed. These angles were correlated with baseline variables, including CLBP intensity, age, and sex. Multiple polynomial regressions were performed in which CLBP intensity was regressed on linear and quadratic terms of lumbar lordosis to investigate the possibility of greater pain with hypo- and/or hyperlordosis. ResultsThere was no significant correlation of the angles with pain and age (r ≤ 0.09, P > .05). Weak but statistically significant correlation was identified between all 3 measurements and sex (r = –0.12 to 0.21, P < .05). Greater pain was not noted for hypo- and hyperlordosis; regression coefficients for the linear and quadratic effects were approximately 0 (P > .05). ConclusionThis study determined that there was no correlation between lumbar lordosis and pain levels for people with CLBP; thus, use of lumbar spine radiographic mensuration in the management of pain for people with CLBP is not recommended.