The Association Between Sagittal Plane Alignment and Disc Space Narrowing of Lumbar Spine in Farmers

MRI study on the influence of lumbosacral vertebral body and disc factors on lumbar lordosis in children

PURPOSE

To evaluate the influence of vertebral and disc wedging on the contribution of lumbar lordosis and the change of disc thickness before and after walking based on MRI.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study. A total of 96 normally developing children, aged 5.7 ± 3.0 years old, 55 boys and 41 girls. They were divided into 3 groups: Pre-walking group, Walking group, and Post-walking group.

PARAMETERS

lumbar lordosis Angle (LLA), the sum of the lumbar disc wedge Angle (∑D), the sum of the lumbar vertebral body wedge Angle (∑B), disc height (DH).

RESULTS

(1) LLA, ∑D, ∑B, and DHL1-S1 were 33.2 ± 8.7°, 14.1 ± 8.6°, 11.9 ± 8.6°, and 6.9 ± 1.2 mm, 7.6 ± 1.4 mm, 8.2 ± 1.6 mm, 8.9 ± 1.7 mm, 8.5 ± 1.8 mm. (2) The difference in LLA values between the Pre-walking and the Post-walking group was statistically significant. DH were significantly different among the three groups. (3) In the Post-walking group, LLA value of girls was significantly higher than that of boys, and DHL3 - 4 and DHL4 - 5 values of girls were significantly lower than that of boys. (4) Age had a low positive correlation with LLA and ∑D and a moderate to strong positive correlation with DH; LLA showed a moderate positive correlation with ∑D, and a low positive correlation with ∑B and DH.

CONCLUSION

Age and walking activity are the influencing factors of lumbar lordosis and disc thickening. Walking activity can significantly increase lumbar lordosis, and age is the main factor promoting lumbar disc thickening. DHL4-5 was the thickest lumbar intervertebral disc with the fastest intergroup thickening. Disc wedging contributes more to lumbar lordosis than vertebral wedging.

The Relationship Between Low Back Pain and Sagittal Spinal Alignment and Back Muscle Mass in Korean Fishery Workers

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between low back pain (LBP) and sagittal spino-pelvic parameters along with the relationship between LBP and back muscle mass in Korean male and female fishery workers.

METHODS

This retrospective study included a total of 146 subjects who underwent Fishermen's health survey conducted between June 2018 and August 2020. LBP was evaluated through visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Sagittal spino-pelvic parameters were measured from whole spine standing X-rays. Back muscle cross-sectional areas were identified through lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging and body composition was analyzed through bioelectrical impedance analysis.

RESULTS

The study included 75 males and 71 females, with an average age of 58.33 years for males and 56.45 years for females. Female subjects exhibited higher VAS and ODI scores, larger pelvic tilt (PT) and trunk fat mass and smaller trunk muscle mass compared to males. In female, ODI positively correlated with sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and PT. No significant correlations were found between ODI scores and body composition in either sex. The high ODI group showed greater SVA, PT, and pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis and higher trunk fat/muscle ratio. Psoas muscle mass, total and skeletal muscle mass and trunk muscle mass of that group were smaller than those of low ODI group.

CONCLUSION

Spino-pelvic parameters and back muscle mass were associated with ODI and there were differences between Korean male and female fishery workers.

Association Between Ergonomic Burden Assessed Using 20-Item Agricultural Work-Related Ergonomic Risk Questionnaire and Shoulder, Low Back, and Leg Pain in Korean Farmers

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the agricultural ergonomic burden in Korean farmers and to analyze its correlation with musculoskeletal pain.

METHODS

In total, 1001 farmers (525 females and 476 males; mean age, 59.6±7.5years) who owned or rented a farm and belonged to an agricultural cooperative unit were recruited. Ergonomic burdens were assessed using a 20-item Agricultural Work-related Ergonomic Risk Questionnaire (20 agricultural works). The presence of musculoskeletal pain (shoulder, low back, and leg/foot), Farm Stressor Inventory, subjective stress index, and agricultural workload (low, moderate, somewhat hard, or hard) were collected using structured questionnaires.

RESULTS

Factor analysis of the Agricultural Work-related Ergonomic Risk Questionnaire revealed a four-factor solution: neck and upper limb, trunk and push - pull, machine and heavy lifting, and repetitive trauma. Cronbach's alpha was greater than 0.65. For 18 of the 20 items, there was a significant association with the Farm Stressor Inventory, subjective stress index, and agricultural workload. The most frequent ergonomic burdens were squatting (51.2%), highly repetitive wrist movements (53.5%), shoulder flexion at 45-90° (51.2%), and trunk flexion or twisting at≥45° (48.8%). Ergonomic burdens were significantly different in 13 items between sexes. The musculoskeletal pain was associated with increased agricultural burdens in 10 items in male farmers and 14 items in female farmers.

CONCLUSION

Increased agricultural ergonomic burdens were associated with musculoskeletal pain. Ergonomic burden showed different patterns between male and female farmers, with female farmers appearing to be more affected by ergonomic burden than male farmers.