Relationship between structural changes in paravertebral muscles and the development of spine degenerative diseases

Abstract

Based on the systematic approach to the diagnosis of spinal patho­logy, there are no fundamental differences in the etiology of spine degenerative disease, facet joints arthritis, and other diseases. These diseases are considered multifactorial: age (aging), systemic regulatory factors (hormones, peptides, cytokines), genetic predisposition, inadequate physical activity, unfavorable environmental factors, and others lead to pathological changes in the structure of the spinal motor segment components. Recently, much attention has been paid to the paravertebral muscles changes, in which over time, as a result of injuries or degenerative processes, inevitably lead to dysfunction, which can lead to the occurrence of chronic lumbar pain. Objective. To assess the relationship between structural changes in paravertebral muscles and the development of degenerative diseases of the spine on the basis of scientific literature review. It was found that degenerative changes in paravertebral muscles, as components of spinal motor segments, develop with aging. In particular, muscle fibers are replaced by fat tissue, which is more pronounced in women compared to men. A direct correlation between chronic lumbar pain and paravertebral muscle atrophy has been reported. Systemic factors, in particular low levels of vitamin D, also can cause the development of degenerative changes in paravertebral muscles, especially in women. Obesity provokes systemic inflammation, increases fatty infiltration of skeletal muscles and increases sensitivity to pain. Reduced levels of physical activity lead to weakness and atrophy of the paravertebral muscles, which can cause degeneration of the intervertebral disc. At the same time, exercise prior to spinal surgery for degenerative disea­ses improves functional outcomes and reduces pain. Conversely, damage to the paravertebral muscles increase the load on the adjacent to spinal fusion segments. In general, the role of paravertebral muscles in the development of degenerative spinal diseases has not been definitively studied.