title: The role of the iliolumbar ligament in low back pain.
abstract: Low back pain is caused by a variety of etiologies. Some clinicians have postulated that much low back pain is due to trauma to the iliolumbar ligament. The iliolumbar ligament is one of the three pelvic-lumbar ligaments and develops during the 12th week of gestation. The iliolumbar ligament appears to be a major stabilizing component between the vertebral spine and the pelvis. The innervation of the iliolumbar ligament appears similar to the posterior lumbar ligaments. Our hypothesis is: micro-trauma to the iliolumbar ligament is the primary cause of many cases of chronic low back pain because (1) it is the weakest component of the multifidus triangle; (2) there is increased susceptibility to injury due to its angulated attachment; (3) it is a primary inhibitor of excess sacral flexion; (4) it is a highly innervated nociceptive tissue; and (5) it plays an increased role with progressive disc degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth 76107, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sims
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Moorman
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium; D008022:Ligaments / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008954:Models, Biological; D010384:Pelvic Bones; D013131:Spine; D014947:Wounds and Injuries