Association between lumbar spine kinematics and falls in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a cross-sectional study

Review written by Dr Mariana Wingood info

Key Points

  1. Patients with lumbar spine stenosis are at increased risk of experiencing falls.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Patients seeking outpatient physical therapy care have a higher risk of falling than the general population (1). A large US-based study found that older adults seeking physical therapy had a high prevalence of fall risks (44.3%), including a history of falls (34.9%) (1). Additionally, patients with lumbar spinal stenosis are at an even greater risk of falling due to neurological symptoms such as pain, intermittent claudication, and abnormal lumbar motor function (2). However, knowledge regarding the mechanics of this association remains unknown.

The objective of this study was to examine lumbar spine motor function characteristics in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who experienced falls. The secondary objective was to determine the association between falls and lumbar spine motion.

Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis are at an even greater risk of falling due to neurological symptoms such as pain, intermittent claudication, and abnormal lumbar motor function.
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These findings highlight the need to screen fall risk and fall history among all patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

METHODS

  • Design: Cross-sectional study
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