This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Fat infiltration of paraspinal muscles can lead to back pain, structural abnormalities
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
According to the results of a recently published study, patients with fat infiltration of the paraspinal muscle can experience high-intensity low back pain, disability and structural abnormalities in the lumbar spine.
Researchers conducted a cohort study of 72 adult patients. Each patient received an MRI and pain intensity and disability were measured from the Chronic Pain Grade Questionnaire. Researchers measured the cross-sectional area (CSA) and the amount of fat in multifidus and erector spinae.
Researchers found neither muscle CSA or erector spinae were associated with low back pain or disability, but fat infiltration was directly associated with increased risk of high-intensity pain/disability. High (greater than 50%) multifidus fat was associated with an increased risk for high-intensity pain/disability (odds ratio, 12.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-78.3; P = .007).
Researchers concluded the study has shown the correlation between fat infiltration of paraspinal muscles causing back pain and structural abnormalities, but not muscle SCA or erector spinae. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosures: Teichtahl reports receiving an NHMRC Early Career Fellow grant.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts