• Spine · Sep 2005

    Isokinetic muscle strength of the trunk and bilateral knees in young subjects with lumbar disc herniation.

    • Cheng-Wen Ho, Liang-Cheng Chen, Hsian-He Hsu, Shang-Lin Chiang, Min-Hui Li, Shuu-Hai Jiang, and Kao-Chung Tsai.
    • Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Taiwan, Republic of China. cwhodr@yahoo.com.tw
    • Spine. 2005 Sep 15; 30 (18): E528-33.

    Study DesignCross-sectional study comparing normal subjects and patients with lumbar disc herniation.ObjectiveTo evaluate trunk and knee muscle strength in patients with L4-L5 and/or L5-S1 disc herniation.Summary Of Background DataNumerous studies have shown that patients with low back pain have weaker trunk muscles. The strength of trunk and knee muscles has not been investigated simultaneously in patients with lumbar disc herniation.MethodsForty-one controls and 2 patients were included. Isokinetic strength of the trunk and bilateral knees was tested on a calibrated isokinetic testing machine (Biodex System 3 Pro) regardless of the laterality of the radiculopathy. The testing was carrying out at two different velocities: 60 degrees and 120 degrees per second.ResultsTotal trunk strength and knee strength were significantly lower in these patients (4.34 +/- 1.06 and 4.06 +/- 1.16 vs. 6.21 +/- 1.05 and 5.83 +/- 1.09 Nm/kg at 60 degrees and 120 degrees per second, respectively, P < 0.001). In patients with unilateral sciatica, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in unilateral knee strength between sciatica-involved and -uninvolved limbs (1.89 +/- 0.5, 1.08 +/- 0.45, 1.48 +/- 0.58, 0.93 +/- 0.41 vs. 1.68 +/- 0.45, 0.91 +/- 0.38, 1.41 +/- 0.48, 0.79 +/- 0.39 Nm/kg in sciatica-uninvolved vs. sciatica-involved limbs during extension and flexion at 60 degrees and 120 degrees per second, respectively). Total trunk strength was significantly correlated with total knee strength in both groups.ConclusionsIn the patients with lumbar disc herniation, muscle strength of the trunk and knees was decreased to a similar extent. Weaker knee strength was found on either side of the lower extremity in the patients with unilateral sciatica, regardless of its location.

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