IJPR.2018.125
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 6; Issue 3 (May 2018)
Page No.: 2726-2731
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijpr.2018.125
IS THERE PRESENCE OF GLUTEAL MUSCLE WEAKNESS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN AS COMPARED TO HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS?
Pooja Nair 1 , Suryakant Gadgerao *2, Ashok Shyam 3, Parag Sancheti 4.
1 B.P.Th, Sancheti Institute College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
*2 M.P.Th, Associate Professor, Sancheti Institute College of Physiotherapy, Pune-, Maharashtra, India.
3 MS Ortho, Research officer, Sancheti Institute of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
4 MS Ortho, Chairman, Sancheti Institute of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Suryakant Gadgerao, M.P.Th, Associate Professor, Sancheti Institute College of Physiotherapy, Pune-411005, Maharashtra, India. E-Mail: suryagadgerao@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Background: Low back pain has been recently regarded as the largest cause of disability in humans. The hip musculature plays an important role in transferring the forces up towards the spine from the lower extremities in upright positions. A study suggested that gluteus medius weakness and tenderness is a common presentation in chronic non-specific low back pain individuals.
Objective: The objective of this study is to assess and observe the strength of gluteal muscles in individuals with chronic low back pain as compared to healthy un-affected individuals with a hand held dynamometer.
Design: Cross-sectional observational study.
Setting: OPD based patients visiting various clinics in Pune, India.
Participants: 2 groups – group 1 consisted of 50 individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP), group 2 had 50 age and sex matched healthy unaffected individuals as controls.
Methodology: After a detailed history, the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius strength was assessed with proper positioning and stabilization of subjects and their maximum isometric strength was recorded. Trendelenburg test and tensor fascia lata (TFL) tightness was also assessed.
Main outcome measures: gluteal muscle strength was assessed using the hand held dynamometer (microFET-3). TFL tightness was assessed using Obers test. Trendelenburg test was used as a functional test for gluteus medius.
Results: Using the Mann Whitney U test, a significant difference (p<0.05)in the strength for gluteus maximus as well as gluteus medius was found which indicated that there was reduced strength in the affected group as compared to the healthy unaffected controls. Gluteus medius was found to be a strong predictor for prevalence of LBP in an individual.
Conclusion: There is presence of gluteal muscle weakness in chronic non-specific LBP individuals as compared to unaffected healthy controls. Gluteus medius weakness proved to be a more significant predictor as compared to gluteus maximus for development or occurrence of LBP.
Key words: Low Back Pain, Gluteus Medius, Hip Abductor, Gluteus Maximus.
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