Investigation of the Relationship Between Clinical Examination and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients with Low Back Pain

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Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the patients with low back pain. Material and Methods: We retrospectively examined the files of 100 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study among 560 in patients, who were treated in physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic between 2009 and 2011. The clinical examination findings and MRI findings of the patients were recorded in the follow-up form. The relationship between the clinical examination findings and MRI findings was examined. Results: Visual analogue scale and intervertebral disc degeneration didn’t correlate significantly. In the patients who had a sequestered herniation, the rate of muscle strength loss was significantly higher (40%). In the cases of extruded disc herniation, the rate of a positive straight leg raising test was significantly higher (77,8%). The association between the disc protrusion and clinical examination findings was not significant. The relationship between posterolateral herniation and restriction in lumbar flexion angle was significant (p 0.05). Conclusion: In this study a correlation is determined between MRI findings of extruded or sequestered, posterolateral herniations and physical examination findings, but no relationship was found between the other MRI findings and physical examination in patients with low back pain.

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Magnetic resonance imaging , low back pain , intervertebral disc degeneration

Kocatepe Medical Journal

115

Kocatepe Medical Journal