Isokinetic Profile of Ankle Joint Muscles in Chronic Non Specific Low Back Pain Patients

The Relationship Between Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain and Isokinetic Performance of Ankle Joint Muscles

Chronic non-specific low back pain and its resulting infirmity have become a huge health and socioeconomic burden. Low back pain is reportedly associated with decreased activities of daily living and quality of life. Previous literature supports the presence of a link between CLBP and lower limb kinematics that can contribute to functional limitations and disability. For example, CLBP commonly coexist with postural and structural asymmetry. Ankle muscle performance of individuals with LBP during gait becomes more clinically important as it may provide insights into the mechanisms of ankle strategies. The isokinetic testing is an assessment method of high effectivity and trustworthiness that can be used to compare bilateral and agonist/ antagonist ankle muscles strength of normal subjects and athletes. It can be used to analyze muscular performance and differences in muscle performance between dominant and non-dominant limbs.

This study will involve 50 male patients diagnosed with CNSLBP and will correlate between level of pain, disability, psychological status, and overall body fatiguability, core muscles endurance with the strength, endurance, joint angle position, and time parameters of isokinetic testing profile of ankle joint.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 50 male patients diagnosed with Chronic non-specific low back pain through direct referral from their orthopedic surgeon.
2. Each patient will be diagnosed by "Waddle sign"
3. Age limit 20-40 years.
4. BMI: less than 30.
5. Pain duration: chronic more than 3 months or 12 weeks.
6. Pain location: Between T12- and lower gluteal folds.
7. Pain Intensity: At least have 3 out of 10 on VAS.
8. Level of functional disability: 21%-40% on MODI.
9. Each patient sign an informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unexplained weight loss.
2. History of malignancy.
3. Recent trauma within last 12 months.
4. Osteoporosis.
5. Cauda Equina Symptoms.
6. Herniated discs.
7. Radicular signs.
8. Spine fractures.
9. Spinal Canal Stenosis.
10. Myofascial Pain Syndrome.
11. Spondylolisthesis.
12. Rheumatological history.
13. CVS manifestations.
14. GIT manifestations.
15. Psychiatric disorders.
16. Weakness or parathesis in L.L.
17. History of back surgery.
18. Chronic Ankle Instability.
19. Scoliosis or leg length discrepancies.
20. Neurological and systemic manifestations such Epilepsy, muscular diseases, or seziures.
21. Mechanical back pain