Abstract
Background: Lumbar radiculopathy is a benign, often self-limiting condition. It is characterized by low back pain radiating into one or both lower limbs, combined with one or more positive neurological signs (paresis, sensory impairment, or loss of reflexes) that indicate a nerve root irritation or neurological loss of function. This can be due to mechanical compression of the nerve by a disc herniation which may lead to balance disorders in standing position and to asymmetrical load of lower extremities results from pain radiating to lower extremities and leads to distorted postural stability, as well as to other motor deficits. The consequences are disability, reduced quality of health and reduced working capability.
Aim of Study: The purpose of this study was to investigate the alterations of static and dynamic balance in patients with lumbar radiculopathy.
Patients and Methods: Twelve patients, both genders with unilateral lumbar radiculopathy were included in the study with a mean age 47.25 (±5.61) years. They were assessed for impairments in static and dynamic balance, compared with twelve normal/healthy subjects. functional reach test" FRT" was used to test static balance by measuring (MAD) maximum anterior reaching distance measured in cm. and Biodex Balance System (BBS) was used to measure dynamic balance. The evaluation of dynamic balance included both Dynamic Balance Test (DBT) and the Dynamic Limits of Stability (DLOS). The (DBT) include the anterior/posterior stability index (APSI), the Medial/Lateral Stability Index (MLSI) and the Overall Stability Index (OASI). The DLOS parameters were expressed as overall Direction Control (DC) and time required for completing the test (T).
Results: There was statistically significant differences in all measured variables of static and dynamic balance; between lumbar radiculopathy (A) and control group (B). There was a significant reduction of the mean values of OASI, APSI with (p>0.0001*), T with (p=0.0001*) and MLSI with (p>0.002*) in group (B) and significant increase of the mean values of F.R.T. in group (B). While, there was a signifi-cant increase of the mean values of D.C. with (p=0.0001 *) in group (B).
Conclusion: There was a significant differences of all variables of static and dynamic balance between group A and B, which confirms that patients with lumbar radiculopathy due to disc herniation may suffer impaired postural stability, dynamic balance and reduced functional abilities when com-pared to normal subjects.