RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF SPONDYLOLISTHESIS AND TRANSITIONAL LUMBOSACRAL SEGMENT IN CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN SUBJECTS
Abstract
Author(s): Dr Rupali Shastrakar, Dr A P Kasote, Dr V G Sawant.
The purpose of this study is to measure the prevalence of, spondylolisthesis, transitional lumbosacral segmentation, in patients 21 to 65 years of age with chronic low back pain (CLBP).This retrospec tive study analyzed 100 digital lumbar radiographic series obtained during a case control study of patients with CLBP. Chronic low back pain is defined as pain in the low back lasting 12 weeks or longer. Radiographic findings of spondylolisthesis, and lumbosacral transitional segmentation were graded by 2 authors using established classification criteria. Lumbosacral transitional segments graded I to IV (Castellvi classification) were present in 14% of cases. Isthmic spondylolisthesis was present in 5% of cases, with L5 the most common location. Degenerative spondylolisthesis demonstrated a prevalence of 34%, most commonly occurring at L4. The prevalence of degenerative spondylolisthesis was 60 % for women aged 50 to 59 years and 40% for men in the same age range. Key words: Low Back Pain, Prevalence, Spondylolisthesis, Radiography, Lumbosacral transitional segment.
