EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND ETIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF LOW-BACK-PAIN IN VIBRATION ENVIRONMENTS - AN UPDATE

The article reviews the substantial body of epidemiological evidence l inking vibration exposure and low back pain. Drivers appear to be at p articular risk if exposures exceed those recommended by the ISO exposu re limit. Various aetiological factors associated with vehicular vibra tion, flattening of the lumbar lordosis, increased motion segment flex ibility, disc pressure and mechanical softening are discussed, Vibrati on studies of functional spinal units are also discussed, as are in vi vo whole-body vibration experiments. Animal models have shown that vib ration leads to compromised nutrition, higher disc pressures, release of neuropeptides, increased creep and histological changes.