J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1977 Jun;12(2):121-129. 10.4055/jkoa.1977.12.2.121.

Dynamoradiological Study of Discogenic Low Back Pain

• Park BM
• Kim NH

• KMID: 2461814
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1977.12.2.121

Abstract

The incidence of low back pain as shown in the literature indicates that approximately 65~80% of the population at one time or another have had significant trouble. Low back pain causes one to lose time from work or other activity if an attack is significant, and it is also an universal problem in all economic and social brackets. The vast majority of etiological causes of low back trouble comes from discogenic origin, such as degenerative change of the intervertebral lumbar disc. Disc degeneration should be interpreted as a more or less physiological process which begins at about the age of 20 and continues throughout life. As disc degeneration proceeds, the normal physiologic biomechanics of low back can be transformed to pathomechanics of the spine as a causes of disability. Clinically plain radiography has been routinely used to substantiate the diagnosis of disc degeneration. The typical radiological abnormalities of degeneration are those of marginal spur, narrowing of disc space, Schmorls nodule and sclerosis of the opposing surfaces of the vertebral bodies, etc. However, these changes generally appear somewhat later when degeneration has eventually progressed and in the early stage are generally considered to be negative. Attention is directed to detection of pathomechanical abnormalities of disc degeneation with radiograms being taken in the standing dynamic position rather than in the supine non-dynamic position. The purpose of the study was to investigate some sigificant evidence of dynamograms to evaluate the changes in motion of the lumbar intervertebral joints, and to obtain comparison of the mobility of the joint involved with that of adjacent joints in the same spine. The case material consisted of one hundred and nine patients with discogenic low back pain. In clinical classification, the cases were separated into groups of lumbar insufficiency, intervertebral disc herniation and degenerative spondylosis for the purpose of analysis. Although this was an investigation of the significance in pathologic spines, ten normal subjects with no symptoms, between the ages of twenty and twenty five years, were included in the study as a control to interpret the findings. Non-dynamograms in the non-weight bearing supine position and dynamograms in the weight bearing standing position were made in each case. Non-dynamograms were taken with antero-posterior and lateral projections of the cases. Dynamograms were taken with antero-postericr and lateral projections, and additional lateral views in flexion and extension of spine. The focal film distance was eighty centimeters with the central ray at the third lumbar vertebra. Roentgenograms were analysed by comparison of non-dynamograms and dynamograms, and of groups of patients classified. The results of the study are as follows. 1. Early degenerative change such as abnormal mobility or primary instability was observed by dynamograms. 2. Dynamograms were helpful to detect the level of disc degeneration involved. 3. By dynamograms it has been found possible to deduce severity of disc degeneration. 4. Flexion-extension radiograms have appeared worthwhile to predict the level at which disc protrusion has occurred. In conclusion it is to be expected that there will be a valuable for dynamoradiological assessment in clinical application not only for diagnostic purposes in which it is possible to detect confirmatory evidence of early degeneration, and to predict the level and severity of disc degeneration, but also in the therapeutic aspect where one has to decide how to manage the lesion when it has occurred.

MeSH Terms

Classification
Diagnosis
Humans
Incidence
Intervertebral Disc
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Joints
Low Back Pain*
Physiological Processes
Posture
Radiography
Sclerosis
Spine
Spondylosis
Supine Position
Weight-Bearing