Assessment of postural stability in patients with lumbar spine chronic disc disease

Purpose: The pain, motor and sensory deficits are common symptoms of the lumbar disc disorder, and they can significantly affect human postural control. The aim of this study was to assess postural stability in patients with severe symptoms of lumbar spine disc disease qualifying them for surgical treatment and to compare them with a control group. Methods The study involved 103 subjects: 54 patients and 49 healthy subjects. Patient’s mean age was 46.4 ± 11.3 years, mean body height 172.2 ± 10.3 cm, mean body mass was 83.1 ± 18.9 kg and mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.9 ± 5.2 kg m-2. The mean time of their recent pain episode was 9.7 ± 8.5 month. Results: We found statistically significant differences between postural stability in patients with lumbar spine disc disease and the control group. The measurements taken with eyes closed, as compared with the clinical control group, revealed higher and statistically significant values of the mean amplitude of COP, mean amplitude of COP on sagittal plane, and maximal sway in sagittal plane parameters. The analysis of pressure value differences between the right and left lower limbs in both groups revealed statistical significance. In the study population the difference was significantly greater in comparison to the control group. The patients has significantly greater asymmetry of lower limb load. Conclusions: 1. Patients with lumbar spine discogenic pain had decreased postural control. 2. The patients had significant asymmetry in foot pressure, resultant from pain radiating to a lower limb.