Changes in intervertebral disk dimensions after a loading task and the relationship with stature change measurements.

UNLABELLED

Lewis SE, Fowler NE. Changes in intervertebral disk dimensions after a loading task and the relationship with stature change measurements.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that there would be a linear relationship between overall stature change determined by stadiometry and markers of lumbar disk height loss determined from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

DESIGN

The short-term loading response of the lumbar spine was evaluated with both stadiometry and MRI, using a within-subject repeated-measures design. Measures were obtained both before and after 15 minutes of walking wearing a weighted vest (20% of body mass). Stature loss measured on the stadiometer was compared with change in lumbar spine length assessed from the MRI images.

SETTING

A university laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants (N=13; mean age +/- SD, 28.5+/-5.2y; mean height +/- SD, 1.76+/-0.10m; mean body mass +/- SD, 76.6+/-14.9kg) were invited to take part in the investigation. The group was mixed (9 men, 4 women) and comprised people with no history of low back pain.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Lumbar spine length assessed via MRI and stature change measured via stadiometry.

RESULTS

A significant height loss was observed over the complete lumbar spine (P<.05), and a significant correlation was found between the decrease in posterior spine length and stature loss (r=.61).

CONCLUSIONS

The results were supportive of the use of stadiometry as an indirect measure of changes in intervertebral disk height.