Background: Chronic sciatica is a frequent neurological disorder caused by nerve root dysfunction that may be due to
mechanical compression from lumbar disc herniation. It may affect the spino-pelvic alignment.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of chronic unilateral discogenic sciatica on spino-pelvic alignment (lumbar
lordosis, sagittal imbalance, coronal imbalance, pelvic obliquity and torsion)
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was accomplished over seventy subjects of both genders aged between 30 to
40 years. The subjects were distributed into 2 groups: Study group (GI): forty subjects with chronic unilateral discogenic
sciatica (L4-L5/L5-S1) with duration of illness more than three months and Control group (GII): thirty healthy subjects
matched with age and sex. Formetric DIERS 4D (Rasterstereography) was used to assess the effect of chronic sciatica on
spino-pelvic alignment. The Arabic version of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was utilised to assess disability in chronic
sciatica patients. Results: The results of the current study reported a significant increase of the mean values of the sagittal
imbalance, pelvic obliquity and the pelvic torsion in the study group compared to the control group, and there was no significant
difference in the lordotic angle and coronal imbalance between the groups. Regarding ODI, the study revealed non-significant
correlation between ODI and all measured variables in the study group. Conclusion: Considering the outcomes of the current
study, it can be proved that chronic sciatica has a significant effect on spino-pelvic alignment, as there was a significant
increase in sagittal imbalance, pelvic obliquity and pelvic torsion. So, these findings should be considered in the rehabilitation
of individuals with chronic sciatica. |
