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Ultrasound imaging of lumbar multifidus: normal reference ranges for measurements and practical guidance on the technique

Ultrasound imaging of lumbar multifidus: normal reference ranges for measurements and practical guidance on the technique
Ultrasound imaging of lumbar multifidus: normal reference ranges for measurements and practical guidance on the technique
This cross-sectional, prospective study aimed to produce normal reference data for measurements of the lumbar multifidus muscle. A total of 120 subjects, 68 females (aged 2064 years) and 52 males (2069 years) were studied. Bilateral transverse ultrasound images were made of multifidus at the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae (L4 and L5). Cross-sectional area (CSA, cm2) and linear dimensions (AP, anteroposterior Lat, lateral) were measured and the latter expressed as a ratio (AP/Lat) to reflect shape. Relationships between CSA and anthropometric measures were examined. Multifidus CSA was larger in males (P<0.001) and age had no effect. The CSA was larger at L5 than L4 (P<0.001) and highly correlated between the two levels (males r=0.82, females 0.80). Differences in muscle shape were observed for gender, age and vertebral level. Between-side symmetry was high for size but not shape (CSA <10% difference). Linear measurements multiplied (APxLat) correlated highly with CSA (all groups r0.94, P<0.0001). The AP dimension was also acceptably predictive of CSA at L4 (r0.79). There were no clinically useful correlations between CSA and anthropometric measures. These findings provide normal references ranges for objective assessment of lumbar multifidus. This paper also addresses specific practical issues when scanning multifidus.
prospective studies, female, aged, male, assessment
1356-689X
116-126
Stokes, M.
71730503-70ce-4e67-b7ea-a3e54579717f
Rankin, G.
57185f9e-3c42-43e7-95b6-228810a20304
Newham, D.
7662b690-7c4e-4f79-a97c-00680d2d1c15
Stokes, M.
71730503-70ce-4e67-b7ea-a3e54579717f
Rankin, G.
57185f9e-3c42-43e7-95b6-228810a20304
Newham, D.
7662b690-7c4e-4f79-a97c-00680d2d1c15

Stokes, M., Rankin, G. and Newham, D. (2005) Ultrasound imaging of lumbar multifidus: normal reference ranges for measurements and practical guidance on the technique. Manual Therapy, 10 (2), 116-126. (doi:10.1016/j.math.2004.08.013).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This cross-sectional, prospective study aimed to produce normal reference data for measurements of the lumbar multifidus muscle. A total of 120 subjects, 68 females (aged 2064 years) and 52 males (2069 years) were studied. Bilateral transverse ultrasound images were made of multifidus at the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae (L4 and L5). Cross-sectional area (CSA, cm2) and linear dimensions (AP, anteroposterior Lat, lateral) were measured and the latter expressed as a ratio (AP/Lat) to reflect shape. Relationships between CSA and anthropometric measures were examined. Multifidus CSA was larger in males (P<0.001) and age had no effect. The CSA was larger at L5 than L4 (P<0.001) and highly correlated between the two levels (males r=0.82, females 0.80). Differences in muscle shape were observed for gender, age and vertebral level. Between-side symmetry was high for size but not shape (CSA <10% difference). Linear measurements multiplied (APxLat) correlated highly with CSA (all groups r0.94, P<0.0001). The AP dimension was also acceptably predictive of CSA at L4 (r0.79). There were no clinically useful correlations between CSA and anthropometric measures. These findings provide normal references ranges for objective assessment of lumbar multifidus. This paper also addresses specific practical issues when scanning multifidus.

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More information

Published date: May 2005
Keywords: prospective studies, female, aged, male, assessment

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 18068
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/18068
ISSN: 1356-689X
PURE UUID: c6600e04-2632-41b1-b12d-6a7d41422392
ORCID for M. Stokes: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-4204-0890

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 15 Nov 2005
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 03:30

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Contributors

Author: M. Stokes ORCID iD
Author: G. Rankin
Author: D. Newham

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