Association between direction of lateral lumbar shift, movement tests, and side of symptoms in patients with low back pain syndrome

Irene Walter Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, St. Louis, MO 63110.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between direction of lateral lumbar shift (LLS) and 1) the occurrence of symptoms during the side-bending movement test and 2) the location of symptoms in patients with low back pain syndrome (LBS). Twenty-four patients with LBS (17 male, 7 female) with an observable LLS were studied. Side-bending movement tests were performed bilaterally, and the results were recorded as positive if symptoms occurred during the movement. The location of symptoms (right side or left side) was obtained from the patient history. Use of the chi-square statistic revealed a statistically significant relationship between the direction of the LLS and the direction of the positive side-bending movement test. Seventeen tests (71%) were positive to the contralateral side of the LLS, and 5 (21%) were positive to the ipsilateral side. Two tests (8%) were negative in both directions. There was no significant relationship between the side of symptoms and the direction of the LLS. The determination of presence and direction of an LLS is necessary in certain physical therapy management approaches. Pain or restricted side-bending movement has been used to confirm the presence of an LLS. This study confirms the clinical usefulness of the side-bending movement test for determining the presence and direction of an LLS.