Spinopelvic parameters in degenerative spondylolisthesis

Keywords:

sagittal spinopelvic parameters, pelvic incidence, back extensor muscle, degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.


Published online: Jul 15 2019

Jung-Ki Ha , Chang Ju Hwang , Dong-Ho Lee , Mi Young Lee , So Jung Yoon , Choon Sung Lee

From the Asan Medical Center, Republic of Korea

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare various sagittal spinopelvic parameters between patients with and without degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).

A total of 165 patients who underwent surgery for low back and/or radicular pain were divided into two groups: those without DLS (non-DLS group; n = 85) and those with DLS (DLS group; n = 80).

In all sagittal spinopelvic parameters, no significant difference was found between the non-DLS and DLS groups. The mean pelvic incidence (PI) value of the DLS group (56.4°) was almost similar to that of the non-DLS group (57.5°). The cross-sectional ratio of lumbar musculature was significantly smaller in the DLS group than in thenon-DLS group (p = 0.046). Contrary to the results of previous studies, a high PI may not be a predisposing factor for DLS development. Atrophy of back extensor muscles may play a role in the pathogenesis of DLS.