title: Physical and functional measures related to low back pain in individuals with lower-limb amputation: an exploratory pilot study.
abstract: For this study, we compared the physical impairments and functional deficits of individuals with lower-limb amputation (LLA) for those with and without low back pain (LBP). Nineteen participants with LLA were placed into two groups based on visual analog scores of LBP. We assessed functional limitations, iliopsoas length, hamstring length, abdominal strength, back extensor strength, and back extensor endurance. Data analysis included correlations and t-tests. We found significant correlations between pain score and functional limitations, iliopsoas length, and back extensor endurance. We also detected significant differences in functional limitations, iliopsoas length, back extensor strength, and back extensor endurance between those with and without LBP. We saw significant differences in back extensor strength and back extensor endurance between those with transtibial and transfemoral amputations. Differences exist in physical measures of individuals with LLA with and without LBP. Clinicians should consider these impairments in individuals with amputation who experience LBP. Because of the participants' characteristics, these findings may be applicable to veterans with LLA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Room 501, New York Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 8000, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA. kfriel@nyit.edu
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friel
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Domholdt
authors.forename: Douglas G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D006055:Golf / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects