COMPARISON OF SPINAL AND PELVIC POSTURE AND MUSCLE FLEXIBILITY IN THOSE WITH SPONDOLYTIC AND NON-SPONDOLYTIC LOW BACK PAIN
Purpose: The rate of spondylolysis in adolescent athletes ranges from 11–47%. Due to the long recovery process associated with a spondylolysis and the fact that bony union only occurs in 25–37% of patients necessitates that risk factors for this condition are identified so that prevention techniques can be developed. Research has shown that those with spondylolysis have different sagittal alignment than normal populations. The purpose of this study was to compare hip flexibility and sagittal plane alignment of subjects with NSLBP and SLBP. Methods: A total of 61 subjects between the ages of 12–21 with back pain for at least 2 weeks were enrolled. All subjects had radiographs and advanced imaging to evaluate for spondylolysis. A Thomas test and 90-90 test were used to assess hip flexor and hamstring flexibility, respectively. Pelvic incidence, sacral slope, pelvic tilt, and lumbar lordosis were measured on a standing lateral radiograph. Results: After adjusting for age, gender, and sport, those with SLBP had greater pelvic incidence ([Formula: see text]), sacral slope ([Formula: see text]) and tighter hamstrings ([Formula: see text]) Conclusions: Athletes with SLBP have tighter hamstrings and increased sacral slope and pelvic incidence when compared with athletes with NSLBP.