The Lumbar Spine: Understanding the Science Behind Both Movement and Dysfunction

The spine is a complex structure, comprised of nerves, connective tissue, bones, discs, muscles and other essential integrative components. Whether it getting out of a chair or car, lifting or carrying items, some 29 muscles around the pelvic girdle and lumbar spine, provide stability. In this article, we will review the anatomy of the spine, common injuries to the lumbar spine, functional assessments and training strategies to work with clients with previous injuries.

Basic Anatomy of the Spine

The spine is divided into three primary layers(internal, middle and outer).

a. Internal layer: Consists of the vertebrae of the spine, the spinal discs, and ligaments and series of small muscles that connect, one vertebrae to another. The discs and ligaments perform two important functions: they stabilize the spinal column, and they provide the brain with information about the exact position of every joint and vertebrae in the spine.

b. Middle layer: There are four important muscles within the middle layer, which provide stability for the lower back. Two of these muscles comprise the back, while the other two are abdominal muscles. The muscles of the back are called the multifidus and the quadratus lumborum. The stabilizers that come from the abdominal region are called the internal oblique as well as the transverse abdominus.

c. Outer layer: This layer is the thickest. Composed of large, thick muscles, which aid in assist in transitional movements, creating and sustaining muscle contraction. The outer layer is known as erector spinae (image below).

Biomechanics of movement

When we look at how the spine bends, flexes and rotates, there are several structures that directly produce these movements and are also affected.

Flexion and extension of lumbar spine

During lumbar flexion, the veterbrae and the intervertebral foramen in the back(posterior) separate, creating tension and stress on the posterior annulus and posterior longitudinal ligament. This forces the nucleus populous backward. Making the disc vulnerable to bulge or herniate. During extension, the opposite motion occurs. During side bending or lateral flexion, there is opening on the contralateral side and narrowing on the ipsilateral(same) side.

As the trunk rotates, there is tension developed in the outer annulus where the annular fibers become taught(tight). While the other half of the annular fibers slacken. At the joint, the side rotated towards approximates while the other side opens (gaps).

Common injuries and causes of lumbar spine

There are different types of injuries the ankle can sustain. The most common are lumbar osteoarthritis(DDD), disc injuries, and spinal stenosis. In this next section, we will review each condition providing a deeper understanding of each.

a. Lumbar osteoarthritis(DDD)

Mechanism of injury/pathophysiology: Is termed the wear and tear arthritis because it is thought that the articular cartilage breaks down because of an imbalance between mechanical stress and the ability of the joint to handle the given loads. The following are factors that can influence the development of DDD; excessive weight, repeated repetitive stressors, and muscle imbalances.

Sign and symptoms: Patients will typically describe as a deep ache in the morning that eases or decreases as the day progresses. During evening, the lower back stiffens once again.

b. Spinal stenosis

Pathophysiology: A narrowing within the vertebral canal coupled with hypertrophy of the spinal lamina and ligamentum flavum or facets as the result of age-related degenerative process commonly seen in older individuals(Geenvay & Atlas 2010).

Risk Factors: Poor posture, excessive weight, muscle imbalance between flexors and extensors.

Sign and symptoms: Results in vascular compromise, bilateral pain in lower extremities particularly in back, buttocks, thighs, calves and feet. Pain is increased with spinal extension and walking. Pain decreases with spinal flexion (bending).

Medical treatment: Conservative therapies initially and if unsuccessful, decompression laminectomies may be required. In a long term study by Atlas, S et al (2005), 148 patients, who either had surgery or underwent conservative care (physical therapy), were followed for 8-10 years.

Results: Patients undergoing surgery had worse baseline symptoms and functional status than those initially treated nonsurgical.

c. Disc injuries

Mechanism of injury: Injury to the disc, typically occurs as a result of a combined motion such as lifting with twisting. This motion places increased stress on the disc causing an injury. Per the research and my 15 years of clinical experience, most individuals suffer from a bugling disc or herniate disc. This is confirmed by an extensive examination by both the physician and physical therapist, an MRI, symptoms and objective findings. The four types
are listed below.

Four types of disc injuries:
1. In Protrusion or bulge, there is change in the shape of the annulus that it causes to bulge beyond its normal perimeter.
2. In Prolapse disc, (herniation), the ligamentous fibers give way, allowing the nucleus to bulge into the neural canal. The disc is still contained by the outer layers of the annulus and supporting ligamentous structures.
3 .Extrusion is where the disc protrudes through the annulus but is contained by the
posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL).
4. Sequestration is where the nuclear material/free floating piece of the nucleus has partially separated from the remaining nucleus, allowing it to be free in the neural canal and moves into the epidural space.

Etiology/Risk Factors: Overstretching of the annular rings occurs as a result from a combined trunk rotation and unilateral side bending, placing the disc in a vulnerable compromised position. Repetitive compressive forces, microtrauma or one single movement at end range(flexion) with low load will stress the posterior spinal musculature and disc.

Sign and symptoms: Loss of trunk motion/mobility, decrease in trunk strength, central/radicular pain, possible parasthesias and painful referred pain peripherally, inability to perform activities of daily living. Usually worse in the sitting position or rising.

Medical treatment: During the acute stage of injury, patient education, rest, and NSAIDS are recommended. Certain positions such as flexion and combined flexion with rotation are avoided to decrease intervetebral pressure.

Common assessments

There are several ways to assess a client with our without a spinal injury. It is important to assess can the client maintain neutral spine in a static position, can they maintain neutral spine when their center of gravity is altered. Three effective assessments are the quadruped test, four point plank test and side plank test.

1. Quadruped test
In the quadruped test, ask the client to place their hands and knees in an all fours position. The first part (3A), as the client to extend one leg up, hold, the repeat on other side. Then with second part (3B), ask the client to alternate opposite arm with opposite leg. Observe if the client maintains neutral spine where the vertical arrow is, do they hyperextend their spine, excessively rotate their hips or sag?

2. Four point (plank test)
Four point plank tests spinal erectors and paraspinal muscles. Ask the client to assume in the position in figure 13 below, prone with arms bent to 90 degrees (similar to a push-up). Then instruct the client to lift their entire body off the ground surface while toes are in the extended position. Time them for the length of time they maintain neutral spine (without hips sagging or spine flexing).

a. Grading for both test is as follows:
Normal: Able to lift pelvis off and hold straight 15-20 second count
Good: Able to lift pelvis off but has difficulty holding spine straight for 15-20 seconds
Fair: Able to lift pelvis off but has difficulty holding spine straight for 10-15 seconds
Poor: Able to lift pelvis off but cannot hold for 1-10 seconds
Trace: Unable to lift pelvis off the table

3. Side plank test
The side plank test challenges the quadratus lumborum and external obliques. Ask the client to position their body is in side-lying position with the knees straight, while bending the bottom elbow at 90 degrees. Then instruct the client to lift their entire body off the ground, while keeping the legs straight. Time them for the length of time they maintain neutral spine(without hips sagging or spine flexing).

Training strategies and programming for lumbar injuries

With any injury, the most important thing to remember is the type of injury, healing time and prior level of function of the client. Let’s begin with ankle sprains.

a. Lumbar osteoarthritis(DDD)
Recommendations for training: Joint protection, Aqua or pool therapy is an excellent intervention based upon the buoyancy principle. Closed chain exercises such as lunges, ball squats, stretching, core strengthening and aerobic exercise (ie. walking, and recumbent bicycle) are safe and effective. Particular emphasis should focus on glute and hamstring strengthening to improve sagittal stability.

b. Spinal stenosis
Recommendations for training: Anatomically and biomechanically, flexion based exercises open the neural foramin. Perform flexion based exercises such as; knee to chest, prayer stretch and reverse abdominal crunch. End of range extension based exercises should be avoided as they close the neural foramin (ie. cobra pressup). Lower extremity stretching should focus stretching hamstrings, hip flexors and quadriceps. Yoga and pilates can also be effective to improve a client’s flexibility and core stability. Progressive resistance training exercises such as lat pulldown, seated mid row, seated reverse flyes, and horizontal leg press are all safe to teach a client with lumbar stenosis based on science.

c. Lumbar disc injuries
Recommendations for training: Obtain medical clearance from M.D. and communicate with client’s physical therapist prior to exercise training. Emphasis is on strengthening of “core,” abdominals, trunk muscles/lower back, and functional strengthening. Avoid combined rotational with side bending exercises, as well as hyperflexion and hyperextension motion. As these two motions place shearing forces on the disc.

Summary

The lumbar spine a complex unit that is comprised of a multitude of ligaments, tendons, connective tissue, muscles that synergistically initiate and correct movement, and stabilize when an unstable environment. Understanding the anatomy, biomechanics and weak links of the spine, common injuries and evidenced-based training strategies, should provide you with the insight to better understand and work with clients with these kind of injuries more confidently.

 

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Chris Gellert is the CEO of Pinnacle Training & Consulting Systems (PTCS), a consulting and continuing education company, that provides evidenced-based with practical application educational material in the forms of home study courses, live seminars, articles, videos, DVDs, webinars, podcasts, advanced certifications and a complete mentoring system for personal trainers, physical therapists and health professionals.

Chris has 19 years of strong, diverse experience in treating movement dysfunctions, 20 years experience as a personal trainer and 15 years as an experienced international presenter. His clinical experience includes having worked in hospital, industrial rehabilitation, outpatient and private practice settings. Chris has extensive experience treating spinal injuries, sacroiliac, degenerative, sports and various movement dysfunctions including fascial dysfunctions. He holds an Advanced Master’s degree in orthopedics & sports physical therapy from the University of South Australia, a Master’s degree in physical therapy from Nova Southeastern University and B.S. in Marketing from SUNY Plattsburgh. He will be pursuing a Fellowship in orthopedics and manual therapy in the near future. One unique quality is that Chris is both a practicing physical therapist and personal trainer.

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