Does Lumbar Proprioception Affect Hip Abductor and Extensor Muscles Strength in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients?

Background: Chronic low back pain was found to be the most disabling work-related musculoskeletal disorder world-wide. Patients with low back pain have been found to have uncontrolled lumbopelvic mobility which may be related im-paired muscular performance. Aim of Study: This study aimed to determine if there a rela-tionship between lumbar proprioception and hip abductor and extensor muscles strength in chronic low back pain patients. Patients and Methods: Seventy-five subjects from both sexes were enrolled in this study. Their age ranged from 20 to 30 years. They were assigned into two group: Study group (GI) included forty-five patients with chronic low back pain. Control group (GII) included thirty matched healthy subjects. They all have undergone evaluation of lumbar joint position error (JPE) using Biodex System 3 Pro Isokinetic through the lumbar reposition accuracy test at 30° of lumbar flexion: Using passive joint position detection mode. Hip abductor and exten-sor strength on both sides were assessed using Instrumented digital hand-held dynamometer. Results: There was a statistically significant higher mean values of lumbar JPE in the study group compared to the con-trols. There was a statistically significant higher mean values of hip abductor and extensor strength on both sides in the study group compared to the controls. There was a statistical-ly non-significant negative correlation between JPE and hip abductor and extensor muscles strength in both sides in the study group. Conclusion: Patients with chronic low back pain have sig-nificant alteration in lumbar joint position sense and hip abduc-tor and extensor muscles strength. Prolonged assumption of awkward posture during daily activities alters lumbar afferent input and reduce hip muscular activation. Decline in hip mus-cles strength not related to lumbar proprioceptive impairment but could be related to LBP.