Lumbar lordosis in acute and chronic low back pain patients

Postural changes are sometimes a risk factor for low back pain. Abnormal posture creates a strain on ligaments and muscles that indirectly affects the curvature of the lumbar spine. This study was planned to investigate the relationship between the angles of the lower lumbar spine and spinal mobility in acute and chronic low back pain patients. Fifty patients (25 female, 25 male) with chronic low back pain and fifty (30 female, 20 male) with acute low back pain were included the study. Both groups were subjected to lumbosacral radiography in the lateral position while standing. Patients were assessed by parameters including spinal mobility, sacral inclination angle, lumbosacral angle, and sacral horizontal angle. Spinal mobility included the maximal range of motion of lumbar flexion and extension. The value of the sacral inclination angle was significantly higher and correlated with lumbar extension in chronic low back pain patients (P<0.005, r=0.32). There was no statistical difference or correlation in lumbosacral and sacral horizontal angles and spinal mobility between the two groups (P>0.05). Chronic low back pain affects the lower lumbar spine and limits the maximal range of lumbar extension.