Relationship Between Muscle Mass of the Lower Limbs and Falls Caused by Spinal Misalignment in Women Aged 70 Years: A Retrospective Study

This study aimed to investigate the association between lower-limb muscle mass and spinal misalignment-related falls in elderly women. Summary of Background Data: Poor spinal alignment affects gait and balance, reducing the quality of life. Negative correlations between age-associated skeletal muscle loss and spinal sagittal alignment have been reported. Materials and Methods: This study included 127 women with osteoporosis aged more than 70 years. The correlation between lower-limb skeletal muscle index (SMI) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was calculated using radiographic measurements. Spinopelvic parameters, including SVA, sacral slope, pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence, and lumbar lordosis, were measured. Lower-limb SMI was measured using whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and calculated as SMI=nonfat mass/height2. The balance function was evaluated using the single-leg stance test. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests; significance level was set at P
Source: Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques - Category: Surgery Tags: Primary Research Source Type: research