The importance of lumbar dynamometric examination in patients with low-back pain

Aim: To investigate whether the Isostation B-200 Lumbar Dynamometer can be used to differentiate patients with low-back pain (LBP) from healthy subjects. Materials and methods: In this study, range of motion (ROM), maximal isometric torque, maximal velocity, and secondary axle maximal isometric torque values were obtained from 79 patients with mechanical LBP and compared with the values of the control group, which consisted of 62 people. For this purpose, the Isostation B-200 Lumbar Dynamometer was used. Results: In the group with mechanical LBP the flexion, right and left rotation, and right and left lateral flexion ROM values were significantly lower than those of the control group, whereas there were no significantly statistical differences in extension values. Moreover, the maximal isometric torque, maximal velocity, and secondary axle maximal isometric torque values were significantly lower when compared with the control group on transversal, sagittal, and coronal axes. Conclusion: It was determined that the maximal isometric torque, maximal velocity, and secondary axle maximal isometric torque are reliable parameters in defining the present pathology of patients with mechanical LBP, whereas ROM parameter is not reliable, although it shows significant variation in some axes.