title: Postural stability disorders in rural patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hard work in farming may lead to lumbar spinal stenosis, and consequently, to pain. The pain and neurological disorders may lead to disability and postural disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the presented study was to analyse postural stability and its correlation with functional disability of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis living in rural areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of 30 rural patients with lumbar spinal stenosis; mean age: 51.40 (±12.92); mean BMI: 28.60 (±3.77). The control group consisted of 30 rural inhabitants without spinal disorders. Postural stability was tested on the Biodex Balance System. The patients were also evaluated according to the ODI, the Rolland- Morris disability questionnaire, and VAS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean results of the patients studied were as follows: 49.37 (±17.39) according to ODI, 15 (±6.19) according to the Rolland-Morris disability scale, and pain intensity of 7 (±1.93) according to the VAS. The following statistically significant differences were found: the mean balance index result was 1.8 (±1.88) and 0.64 (±0.41) in the control group. The mean centre of mass deviation in the A/P plane was 1.39 (±1.88) and 0.46 (±0.41) in the control group. The mean centre of mass deviation in the M/L plane was 0.8 (±0.51) and 0.32 (±0.22) in the control group. The balance in the studied population correlated significantly with the Rolland-Morris disability questionnaire and the VAS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1) Serious disability was found in rural patients with spinal stenosis. There was a statistically significant correlation between the disability and postural stability disorders. 2) Most of the patients (84%) were overweight. 3) Postural stability disorders were statistically significant for both the stability index and the A/P plane deviation.
authors.affiliation: 1. Prof. A. Gruca Independent Public Research Hospital, Otwock Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education, Otwock, Poland 2. Department of Physical Education and Sport, Biała Podlaska, Academy of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland 3. Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education, Physiotherapy Department, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Truszczyńska
authors.affiliation: Military Institute of Aviation Medicine, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Truszczyński
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport, Biała Podlaska, Academy of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland; University of Social Science, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Kazimierz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rąpała
authors.affiliation: Prof. A. Gruca Independent Public Research Hospital, Otwock Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education, Otwock, Poland.
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gmitrzykowska
authors.affiliation: Military Institute of Aviation Medicine, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tranowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011044:Poland; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires