THE ROLE OF THE ILIOLUMBAR LIGAMENT IN LOW-BACK-PAIN

Low back pain is caused by a variety of etiologies. Some clinicians ha ve postulated that much low back pain is due to trauma to the iliolumb ar ligament. The iliolumbar ligament is one of the three pelvic-lumbar ligaments and develops during the 12th week of gestation. The iliolum bar ligament appears to be a major stabilizing component between the v ertebral spine and the pelvis. The innervation of the iliolumbar ligam ent appears similar to the posterior lumbar ligaments. Our hypothesis is: micro-trauma to the iliolumbar ligament is the primary cause of ma ny cases of chronic low back pain because (1) it is the weakest compon ent of the multifidus triangle; (2) there is increased susceptibility to injury due to its angulated attachment; (3) it is a primary inhibit or of excess sacral flexion; (4) it is a highly innervated nociceptive tissue; and (5) it plays an increased role with progressive disc dege neration.