Difference of Lumbar Lordosis in Patients with Low Back Pain and Controls

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the difference of Lumbar Lordosis Angle (LLA)between patients with Low Back Pain (LBP) and control groups. Methods: Questionnaires were completed by 40 adults LBP patients seeking physical therapy services and by 40 controls at the department of Physical Therapy, SaeJong Neurosurgical Clinic in Taegu city, South Korea from October 1999 to March 2000. LLA was measured on lateral x-ray films with standing position. The angle between a line parallel to tile top of the first Lumbar (Ll) and the top of the fifth Lumbar (L5) was defined LLA. Results: LLA of 29.88$^{\circ}$ for LBP patients was statistically significant decrease from that of 35.31$^{\circ}$ for controls in the difference of lumbar lordosis (p<0.01). There were statistically significant differences between genders in patients groups. Females(32.22$^{\circ}$) had significantly greater angles than males (27.32$^{\circ}$) (p<0.05), while 36.63$^{\circ}$ for female was also greater than 34.12$^{\circ}$ for male in the controls. No significant difference was found between age. In patient groups, 27.95$^{\circ}$ for below age 40 was a smaller than 32.32$^{\circ}$ for above, however, 35.82$^{\circ}$ for below age 40 was a little greater than 34.27$^{\circ}$ for above in controls. Patients in sitting posture had greater LLA (31.35$^{\circ}$). than those standing (28.93$^{\circ}$), however. values for controls were similar to each other. Conclusions: Results from this study indicate that distinct difference exist among patients and controls and gender, whereas little difference exists in age and working posture.