Characteristic dynamic differences between healthy and low back pain subjects

Study design: Open retrospective study. Objectives: To assess the functional capacity impairment of chronic low bac k pain (LBP) patients using characteristic dynamic changes. Setting: Orthopaedics and Physiotherapy departments at Tel-Aviv, Israel. Methods: Thirty-eight normal healthy volunteers and 607 chronic LBP patient s were tested on a computerized 3-D lumbar dynamometer. The four major para meters measured were the maximal isometric torque (MIT), maximal velocity a gainst 25% MIT and 50% MIT (MV25, MV50, respectively) and maximal torques i n secondary axes (MST). All patients parameters were compared to the normal , healthy findings. Results: All four parameters were found to be significantly different betwe en healthy (or nonsymptomatic) and symptomatic LBP subjects. Conclusions: The findings support the use of 3-D dynamometry and the four p arameters mentioned to objectively classify patients with functional disabi lity.