Dangaria TR; Naesh O

Department of Orthopaedics, Jerudong Park Medical Centre, Brunei Darussalam.

Spine 1998 Apr 15;23(8):928-31

PMID: 9580961 UI: 98242062

STUDY DESIGN: A clinical prospective cohort study of 15 healthy volunteers and 25 patients with unilateral sciatica from single-level disc herniation. OBJECTIVES: To detect any changes in the cross- sectional area of the psoas major muscle in patients with single-level (lateral to mediolateral) disc herniation causing unilateral sciatica. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The exact role of the psoas major muscle in the origin of low back pain and sciatica has not been clarified. METHODS: Fifteen healthy volunteers and 25 patients with unilateral sciatica from single-level disc herniation were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine. The cross-section area of the psoas major muscle on either side was recorded, and differences were noted. In patients, the cross-section area of either side was compared with and duration of sciatica was related to changes in the cross- section area. RESULTS: Insignificant variation in the cross-section area of the psoas major was observed in volunteers. In the patient group, significant reduction in the cross-section area of the psoas major was observed at the level and the site of the disc herniation. A significant correlation between cross-section area of the psoas major and ipsilateral continuous sciatica was found. There was no relation between the reduction of the cross-section area and the amount of disc herniation. CONCLUSION: The cross-section area of the psoas major is ipsilaterally decreased in unilateral lumbar disc herniation. The reduction in cross-section area is positively correlated with the duration of continuous sciatica.

Intervertebral Disk Displacement/*complications
*Lumbar Vertebrae
Psoas Muscles/*pathology
Sciatica/*etiology

Cohort Studies
Comparative Study
Female
Human
Low Back Pain/etiology
Low Back Pain/metabolism
Low Back Pain/pathology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Prospective Studies
Psoas Muscles/metabolism
Sciatica/metabolism
Sciatica/pathology

CLINICAL TRIAL
JOURNAL ARTICLE

Eng