THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTRAMUSCULAR PRESSURE OF THE PARASPINAL MUSCLES AND LOW-BACK-PAIN

Study Design. The relationship between lumbar intramuscular pressure a nd backache with degenerative lumbar spine diseases was examined. Lumb ar intramuscular pressure in 102 patients with low back pain and in 20 normal adults was compared in different positions using Miller's micr otip catheter transducer. Objectives. This study sought to study the r elationship between intramuscular pressure of the lumbar back muscles and degenerative lumbar diseases. Summary of Background Data. Measurem ent of intramuscular pressure is an objective technique for diagnosing lumbar compartment syndrome. The diagnosis of chronic compartment syn drome of the lumbar back muscles is confirmed when an association betw een an increase in intramuscular pressure and the onset of back pain i s established. As spinal alignment changes from lordosis to kyphosis, the intramuscular pressure increases and blood flow decreases. Methods . Intramuscular pressure measurements of the lumbar back muscles were performed in various positions and loading. Results in patients with l ow back pain and in normal adults were compared. Results. The intramus cular pressure levels were found to be closely related to position and loading. The pattern of changes in pressure depended on the type of d isease. The changes in intramuscular pressure in the patients with bac kache were classified into four distinct patterns. Chronic compartment syndrome of the lumbar back muscles showed two patterns: waxing and p lateau. Conclusions. Measurement of intramuscular pressure of the lumb ar back muscles might be an important method of obtaining a greater kn owledge about backache.