Pattern of changes in local and global muscle thickness among individuals with sacroiliac joint dysfunction

What You Need to Know About Sacroiliac Dysfunction

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and sacroiliac dysfunction is estimated to occur in 15%-30% of those with nonspecific low back pain. Nurses are in the unique position to support and provide education to patients who may be experiencing sacroiliac dysfunction or possibly apply this knowledge to themselves, as low back pain is a significant problem experienced by nurses. A patient's clinical presentation, including pain patterns and characteristics, functional limitations, common etiologies and musculoskeletal system involvement, current diagnostic tools, and realm of treatments, are discussed along with their respective efficacy. Distinction is made between specific diagnosis and treatment of joint involvement and that of sacroiliac regional pain, as well as other factors that play a role in diagnosis and treatment for the reader's consideration.

Change in Pelvic Incidence Associated With Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: A Case Report

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is designed primarily for stability with minute motions. SIJ dysfunction refers to improper movement of the SIJs. Diagnosis and evaluation of SIJ dysfunction are difficult, with use of physical maneuvers and image-guided anesthetic injection. This case report describes a 47-year-old female who experienced right buttock pain and painful limp for approximately 2 months. Standing radiographs revealed inflammatory sclerosis surrounding the right SIJ. Physical examination found tenderness over the right SIJ and positive results in provocation (the distraction, compression, and thigh thrust) tests, compatible with right SIJ dysfunction. Her pain was resolved and gait performance was retrieved following 6-month program of combined thoracolumbar manipulation and rehabilitation exercises. Unexpectedly, change in pelvic incidence (PI) angles was noticed on follow-up radiograph. PI remains more or less fixed throughout adult life since the mobility of the SIJs is considered negligible. The current presentation is designed to explore the significance of PI change. The PI disparity unfolds the possibility of recognizing SIJ dysfunction based on consecutive radiographs.

The reliability of rehabilitative ultrasound to measure lateral abdominal muscle thickness: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Variations in rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) protocols may alter lateral abdominal muscle (LAM) thickness measurements. A standardised protocol is required for clinicians to accurately compare LAM thickness changes.

OBJECTIVE

In healthy and lower back pain (LBP) populations, to assess the 1) overall reliability of RUSI to diagnose LAM thickness via meta-analysis, 2) reliability of ultrasound variables to diagnose LAM thickness via systematic review, and 3) propose a RUSI protocol for the LAM using variables associated with excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] >0.9).

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHOD

Databases were searched from January 2000 for studies reporting the reliability of RUSI on the LAM at rest. Title, abstract and full-text screening were performed. Reference lists of reviews and included full-text articles were scanned for further articles. Study characteristic, ultrasound procedure and reliability data were extracted, and article quality assessed. Data was synthesised using meta-analysis to determine the overall reliability for RUSI in different subgroups; calculation of the mean ICCs and standard error of measurements of protocol variables; and narrative synthesis of protocols to contrast those of differing reliability.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven articles, involving 884 participants were included. Reliability ranged from good-to-excellent (ICC 0.859-0.958) in all subgroups. Protocols ranged in subject selection and position, examiner experience, transducer position with the comprehensiveness of protocol description the main limitation of the reviewed literature. Based on the findings an ultrasound protocol was proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

RUSI variables for the LAM at rest show moderate-to-excellent reliability; future research should explore reliability following the proposed protocol.

The effect of sacroiliac chiropractic adjustments on innominate angles

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine whether or not a measurable change in the angle of the innominate bone could be identified after a chiropractic sacroiliac adjustment using a 'PALM PALpation Meter'. Secondly, if a change in the angle of the innominate bone was identified, what was the degree of change in the angle of the innominate bone, induced by the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) adjustment.

Method

This was a true experimental study that consisted of 100 participants who met the inclusion criteria. The participants were randomly allocated to either the treatment or control group. Each group had 50 participants: 25 females and 25 males. Informed consent was obtained from participants prior to commencement of treatment. The treatment group received a chiropractic adjustment based on their specific SIJ dysfunction. The control group was treated with detuned ultrasound therapy (sham treatment).

Procedure

Treatment consisted of a once-off treatment. The angles of the innominate bones were measured bilaterally pre- and post-treatment in both groups. Objective data were collected using the PALM PALpation Meter. Once the dysfunctional SIJ was identified, participants in group 1 were treated with specific chiropractic adjustment techniques based on the restriction. Group 2 participants were treated with detuned ultrasound only.

Results

The results of this study showed that a specific chiropractic adjustment resulted in a measurable change in the angle of the innominate bone (p ≤ 0.001). The change in angle was evident bilaterally; however, the side that was adjusted shows the greatest degree of change. The mean change in angle for the treatment group was 2.25° on the side of dysfunction.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that a specific chiropractic adjustment can have a positive effect on the angles of the innominate bone, resulting in the tilt of the pelvis levelling into what is considered to be its correct anatomical alignment.

Reliability of ultrasound measurement of the lateral abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles in individuals with chronic low back pain: A cross-sectional test-retest study

OBJECTIVES

Ultrasound (US) imaging has been suggested to evaluate the morphology and function of trunk muscles; however, little is known about the reliability of the US measures in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study aimed to evaluate intrarater reliability of US imaging of the lateral abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles in individuals with nonspecific CLBP.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, intrarater within-day and between-day reliability of US measurements of the transversus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique and lumbar multifidus (at the L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels) muscles were obtained on both sides. The resting and contracted thickness and contraction ratio of each muscle were measured in 21 individuals with nonspecific CLBP.

RESULTS

All US measurements of the lateral abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles demonstrated good to excellent within-day (Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs: 0.80-0.98) and between-day (ICCs: 0.80-0.97) reliability. The standard error of the measurement (SEMs) and minimal detectable change (MDCs) of the lateral abdominal muscles on both sides ranged 0.5-1.6 mm and 0.4-4.4 mm, respectively. The SEMs and MDCs of the LM muscles on both sides ranged 1.1-2.7 mm and 2.86-7.49 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that US imaging has good to high intrarater within- and between-day reliability for assessing absolute thickness and contraction ratio of the trunk muscles on both right and left sides in patients with nonspecific CLBP. The vertical alignment of the US transducer is a reliable method for assessing the lateral abdominal muscles.

Inconsistent descriptions of lumbar multifidus morphology: A scoping review

Background

Lumbar multifidus (LM) is regarded as the major stabilizing muscle of the spine. The effects of exercise therapy in low back pain (LBP) are attributed to this muscle. A current literature review is warranted, however, given the complexity of LM morphology and the inconsistency of anatomical descriptions in the literature.

Methods

Scoping review of studies on LM morphology including major anatomy atlases. All relevant studies were searched in PubMed (Medline) and EMBASE until June 2019. Anatomy atlases were retrieved from multiple university libraries and online. All studies and atlases were screened for the following LM parameters: location, imaging methods, spine levels, muscle trajectory, muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and diameter. The quality of the studies and atlases was also assessed using a five-item evaluation system.

Results

In all, 303 studies and 19 anatomy atlases were included in this review. In most studies, LM morphology was determined by MRI, ultrasound imaging, or drawings – particularly for levels L4–S1. In 153 studies, LM is described as a superficial muscle only, in 72 studies as a deep muscle only, and in 35 studies as both superficial and deep. Anatomy atlases predominantly depict LM as a deep muscle covered by the erector spinae and thoracolumbar fascia. About 42% of the studies had high quality scores, with 39% having moderate scores and 19% having low scores. The quality of figures in anatomy atlases was ranked as high in one atlas, moderate in 15 atlases, and low in 3 atlases.

Discussion

Anatomical studies of LM exhibit inconsistent findings, describing its location as superficial (50%), deep (25%), or both (12%). This is in sharp contrast to anatomy atlases, which depict LM predominantly as deep muscle. Within the limitations of the self-developed quality-assessment tool, high-quality scores were identified in a majority of studies (42%), but in only one anatomy atlas.

Conclusions

We identified a lack of standardization in the depiction and description of LM morphology. This could affect the precise understanding of its role in background and therapy in LBP patients. Standardization of research methodology on LM morphology is recommended. Anatomy atlases should be updated on LM morphology.

Changes in the macroscopic morphology of hip muscles in low back pain

Low back pain is a major health issue affecting the lumbopelvic muscles. Morphological changes in hip muscles, such as alterations in the muscle cross-sectional area and muscle volume, may occur in patients with low back pain. This systematic review was conducted to investigate whether patients with low back pain have macroscopic changes in their hip muscle morphology compared with asymptomatic, healthy individuals, based on current evidence. The electronic databases of PubMed/Medline, Ovid, Scopus, Embase^® , and Google Scholar were searched from the inception to August 31, 2018. We only included full texts of original studies regarding macroscopic morphological alterations, including atrophy and fat infiltration, in hip muscles of patients with low back pain compared with asymptomatic controls. The quality of the included studies was determined using an assessment tool based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The scale was modified for the purposes of this study. Sixteen comparative observational studies were found eligible to be included in this review. Eleven were classified as high quality and four as moderate quality. The morphological changes in the psoas major, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and piriformis muscles were assessed in the primary studies. All selected studies were considered B level of evidence studies. The strength of conclusions for the psoas major, gluteal, and piriformis muscles was moderate. The results revealed that there is substantial controversy about the morphological changes in hip muscles in patients with low back pain; however, the majority of high-quality studies concluded that atrophy of hip muscles is evident in patients with low back pain. The psoas major muscle was the most commonly investigated hip muscle for morphological changes. Major methodological limitations of the included studies were identified and discussed. The present systematic review does not include a formal meta-analysis because of very significant differences in the primary studies in terms of study populations and methodologies. Finally, in clinical practice, it is recommended that physical therapists develop exercise programs to improve hip muscle function in patients with low back pain.

Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging Evaluation in Physiotherapy: Piloting a Systematic Review

Background: Research of ultrasound use in physiotherapy and daily practice has led to its use as an everyday tool. Methods: The aims were: (1) Checking the proposed systematic review protocol methodology; (2) evaluating the evidence from the last five years; and (3) coordinating the work of the team of reviewers in performing a complete systematic review. Thus, this is a pilot study prior to a full systematic review. The findings in databases related to health sciences with the meta-search engine Discovery EBSCO, Covidence, and Revman were used. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were described for eligibility. Results: Search provided 1029 references regarding the lumbar region on ultrasound scans. Of these, 33 were duplicates. After Covidence, 996 studies were left for screening. A full-text reading brought one randomized clinical trial (RCT). Conclusions: Validity and reliability references were found. The most suitable points were novice versus expert, and ultrasound versus electromyography (EMG) with just one RCT cohort, and observational and case reports. The lines of investigation increasingly endorsed the validity of using ultrasound in physiotherapy. Post-acquisition image analysis could also be a future line of research.

Correlations between core muscle geometry, pain intensity, functional disability and postural balance in patients with nonspecific mechanical low back pain

Patients with low back pain (LBP) have reduced core muscle geometry and impaired postural balance. Impaired trunk control was shown to be associated with poor balance and limited functional mobility in these patients. However, the relationship between muscle geometry and postural balance is unclear. This study aimed to determine the correlation of core muscle geometry with pain intensity, functional disability and postural balance in patients with chronic nonspecific mechanical LBP. Thirty patients aged 20-50 years were enrolled. Ultrasound imaging was used to assess their muscle geometry. The participants completed a numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain severity, and the Persian version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (PRMDQ). To estimate static balance, they were asked to perform the single leg stance test. Dynamic balance was assessed with the Y-balance test. Significant correlations were found between NRS scores and bilateral multifidus cross-sectional area during rest (r ≥ - 0.31, P ≤ 0.04) and contraction (r ≥ - 0.37, P ≤ 0.02). NRS scores correlated significantly with bilateral multifidus thickness during rest (r ≥ - 0.31, P ≤ 0.04) and contraction (r ≥ - 0.28, P ≤ 0.04). Significant correlations were also observed for PRMDQ scores with thickness (r ≥ - 0.35, P = 0.04) and cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscles (r ≥ - 0.33, P = 0.04) bilaterally during contraction. A significant correlation was found between Y-balance scores and right abdominal muscle thickness during rest and contraction (r ≥ 0.34, P ≤ 0.04). Core muscle geometry correlated with pain, functional disability indices and dynamic balance in these patients.