2013 年 25 巻 1 号 p. 21-26
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the total segmental range of motion (ROM) of the thoracic-lumbar-sacral spine during multidirectional trunk movements between elderly subjects with degenerative spine disease (DSD) and healthy young adults. [Subjects] Twenty-five elderly subjects with DSD and 11 healthy young adults were recruited for this study. [Methods] Subjects performed five trunk movements, including forward flexion (FF), right and left anterior-lateral bending (Rt. and Lt. ALB), and right and left lateral bending (Rt. and Lt. LB). [Results] The total segmental ROM of FF, Rt. and Lt. ALB in the sagittal plane, and Rt. and Lt. ALB in the horizontal plane was significantly different between the groups. [Conclusion] We suggest that the decreased total segmental ROM resulted from degenerative joint structures, particularly facet joints, vertebral bodies, and discs. The present findings add to the evidence in support of a relationship between degenerative changes and three-dimensional spine kinematics in the elderly population with DSD.
