Trunk Muscle Characteristics: Differences Between Sedentary Adults With and Without Unilateral Lower Limb Amputation

Spinal Pathology and Muscle Morphologies with Chronic Low Back Pain and Lower Limb Amputation

INTRODUCTION

Low back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent after lower limb amputation (LLA) and contributes to substantial reductions in quality of life and function. Towards understanding pathophysiological mechanisms underlying LBP after LLA, this article compares lumbar spine pathologies and muscle morphologies between individuals with LBP, with and without LLA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We queried electronic medical records of Service members with and without LLA who sought care for LBP at military treatment facilities between January 2002 and May 2020. Two groups with cLBP, one with (n = 15) and one without unilateral transtibial LLA (n = 15), were identified and randomly chosen from a larger sample. Groups were matched by age, mass, and sex. Lumbar muscle morphology, Pfirrmann grades, Modic changes, facet arthrosis, Meyerding grades, and lordosis angle were determined from radiographs and magnetic resonance images available in the medical record. Independent t-tests compared variables between cohorts while multiple regression models determined if intramuscular fat influenced Pfirrmann grades. Chi-square determined differences in presence of spondylolysis and facet arthrosis.

RESULTS

Lordosis angle was larger with LLA (P = 0.01). Spondylolysis was more prevalent with LLA (P = 0.008; 40%) whereas facet arthrosis was similar between cohorts (P = 0.3). Muscle area was not different between cohorts, yet intramuscular fat was greater with LLA (P ≤ 0.05). Intramuscular fat did not influence Pfirrmann grades (P > 0.15).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite similar lumbar muscle size, those with unilateral LLA may be predisposed to progress to symptomatic spondylolisthesis and intramuscular fat. Surgical and/or rehabilitation interventions may mitigate long-term effects of diminished spinal health, decrease LBP-related disability, and improve function for individuals with LLA.

Comparison of the Effect of Pericapsular Nerve Group Block Combined with Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Block and Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block in Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy Under General Anesthesia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial

Purpose

Patients undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery (AHS) require good analgesia and early rehabilitation after surgery, and there is no consensus on the optimal nerve block. We aimed to compare the efficacy of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block with lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) block compared to fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) in patients with AHS.

Patients and Methods

A total of 80 patients receiving AHS under general anesthesia were randomized to receive either FICB (group F) or PENG block in combination with LFCN block (group P). The primary outcomes were the rate of quadriceps weakness after block on the afflicted side, as well as muscle strength grading and pain score after block, and the quality of recovery on the second postoperative day.

Results

Compared with group F, group P had a lower incidence of quadriceps weakness 48 h after block (76.9% vs 28.2%, P < 0.001), and had less impact on muscle strength grade and lower static pain score at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h after block (P < 0.001), and a lower dynamic pain score at 6 and 12 h after block in group P (p < 0.05). The quality of recovery on the second postoperative day improved (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In comparison to FICB, PENG block in combination with LFCN block can affect less quadriceps muscle strength and reduce the use of postoperative analgesics, which is beneficial for the postoperative recovery of AHS patients.

Lumbar Degenerative Disease and Muscle Morphology Before and After Lower Limb Loss in Four Military Patients

INTRODUCTION

Low back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent after lower limb amputation (LLA). Reports describing longitudinal changes in spine health before and after amputation are rare. This study describes lumbar spine pathology, muscle morphology, and the continuum of care for LBP before and after LLA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We queried electronic medical records of patients who sought care for LBP before and after unilateral LLA between January 2002 and April 2020 and who had documented lumbar imaging pre- and post-LLA. Patient demographics, muscle morphology, spinal pathology, premorbid and comorbid conditions, self-reported pain, and treatment interventions were assessed.

RESULTS

Four patients with LBP and imaging before and after LLA were identified. Intervertebral disc degeneration progressed after amputation in three patients, whereas facet arthrosis progressed in both female patients. The fat content of lumbar musculature generally increased after amputation. Conservative management of LBP before and after amputation was standard, with progression to steroidal injections.

CONCLUSIONS

Lumbar spine health may degrade after amputation. Here, lumbar muscle size did not change after LLA, yet the fat content increased in combination with increases in facet and intervertebral disc degeneration.

Adults with lower-limb amputation: Reduced multifidi muscle activity and extensor muscle endurance is associated with worse physical performance

Trunk muscles may be an overlooked region of deficits following lower-limb amputation (LLA). This study sought to determine the extent that trunk muscle deficits are associated with physical function following amputation. Sedentary adults with a unilateral transtibial- (n = 25) or transfemoral-level (n = 14) amputation were recruited for this cross-sectional research study. Participants underwent a clinical examination that included ultrasound imaging of the lumbar multifidi muscles, the modified Biering-Sorensen Endurance Test (mBSET), and performance-based measures, that is, the Timed Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and 10-m Walk Test (10mWT). Associations between trunk muscle metrics and performance were explored with regression modeling, while considering covariates known to impact performance postamputation (p ≤ 0.100). Average ultrasound-obtained, lumbar multifidi activity was 14% and 16% for transfemoral- and transtibial-level amputations, respectively, while extensor endurance was 37.34 and 12.61 s, respectively. For TUG, nonamputated-side multifidi activity and an interaction term (level x non-amputated-side multifidi activity) explained 9.4% and 6.2% of the total variance, respectively. For 10mWT, beyond covariates, non-amputated-side multifidi activity and the interaction term explained 6.1% and 5.8% of the total variance, respectively. For TUG, extensor endurance and an interaction term (level x mBSET) explained 11.9% and 8.3% of the total variance beyond covariates; for BBS and 10mWT, extensor endurance explained 11.2% and 17.2% of the total variance, respectively. Findings highlight deficits in lumbar multifidi activity and extensor muscle endurance among sedentary adults with a LLA; reduced muscle activity and endurance may be important factors to target during rehabilitation to enhance mobility-related outcomes.

Exercise Therapy in Nonspecific Low Back Pain among Individuals with Lower-Limb Amputation: A Systematic Review

Low back pain is very common condition that often becomes a long-lasting problem in prostheses users after lower limb amputation. The presented study aims to decide the potential benefits of exercise therapy on low back pain among lower limb amputees by using a systematic review. The PICO technique was used to answer the primary issue of this review: Does exercise treatment lessen the prevalence of low back pain in the population of lower limb amputees? Systematic review was conducted in the following databases: Medline-PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies up to September 2010 published in English are included. Aim, target population, development and execution strategies, and treatment suggestions were among the data gathered. The primary outcomes of interest were exercise interventions as a therapy for low back pain but only two articles met including criteria. The search was broadened and 21 studies describing biomechanical changes in gait and pelvic-spine posture were analysed. This review indicates that movement therapy is a potential treatment strategy in low back pain among amputees. The major limitation of the study is the very heterogenous group of subjects in terms of amputation level, baseline activity level and comorbidities. We used a procedure that was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022345556) to perform this systematic review of systematic reviews. There is a necessity of good quality research for concluding a consensus of exercise intervention.

Correlation Between Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and Paraspinal Muscle Fat Infiltration Based on QCT: A Cross-Sectional Study

To investigate the correlation between fatty infiltration of the paraspinal muscle and bone mineral density (BMD). In total, 367 subjects (182 men and 185 women) who underwent quantitative computed tomography (QCT) examination were enrolled in this study. A QCT Pro workstation was used to obtain the mean BMD of the lower lumbar spine (L3, L4, L5) and fat fraction (FF) of the paraspinal muscle (psoas and erector spinae) at the corresponding levels. The patient's age, sex, body mass index, number of previous vertebral fractures, physical activity level, and visual analog scale (VAS) score for lower back pain were recorded. For categorical variables, one-way ANOVA and independent-samples t tests were performed. Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to analyze the correlations among continuous variables. Influential factors were analyzed by multivariate linear regression analysis. Regarding the mean paraspinal muscle FF, there were significant differences between the different vertebral fracture groups (P < 0.05). Age and VAS score showed a positive correlation with the mean paraspinal muscle FF (r = 0.389, 0.454). BMD showed a negative correlation with the mean paraspinal muscle FF (r =  - 0.721). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that vertebral fracture (β = 0.851, P = 0.021) and BMD (β =  - 4.341, P = 0.004) were independent factors of the mean paraspinal muscle FF. This study demonstrated that an advanced age, a greater VAS score, a higher number of vertebral fractures, and a lower BMD may be associated with more severe fatty infiltration of the paraspinal muscle.