Factors associated with paravertebral muscle cross-sectional area in patients with chronic low back pain
Damla Cankurtaran, Zeynep Aykın Yığman, Ebru Umay
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study was performed to reveal the relationships between the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the paraspinal muscles and the severity of low back pain (LBP), including the level of disability. METHODS: This single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 164 patients with chronic LBP. The effects of demographic characteristics, posture, level of physical activity, disc herniation type, and sarcopenia risk on the CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated along with the relationship between the CSAs and severity of pain and disability in all patients. The CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated using the software program Image J 1.53. RESULTS: = 0.026, respectively). There was no relationship between the CSAs of paraspinal muscles and pain intensity or disability. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study did not find a relationship between paraspinal CSAs and pain or disability, treatment regimens for preventing paraspinal muscles from atrophy may aid pain physicians in relieving pain, restoring function, and preventing recurrence in patients with chronic LBP.