title: Correlation analysis of demographic and anthropometric factors, hip flexion angle and conus medullaris displacement with unilateral and bilateral straight leg raise.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It has been shown that the conus medullaris displaces significantly and consistently in response to both unilateral and bilateral SLRs. Point of interest is represented by whether the magnitude of this displacement can be predicted in asymptomatic subjects. The purpose was to investigate whether any correlations existed between demographic and anthropometric factors and hip flexion angle with magnitude of conus medullaris displacement with the unilateral and bilateral SLR. This was done following the notion that there is the possibility that cord movement may contain aspects of predictability in asymptomatic subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the same methods as in our previous MRI studies, we further investigated whether any correlations existed between age, height, weight, BMI or hip flexion angle and magnitude of conus medullaris displacement with the unilateral and bilateral SLR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Moderate to strong positive correlation was found between degree of hip flexion and magnitude of conus medullaris caudal displacement with unilateral and bilateral SLRs and CuMeD. A negligible inverse correlation between subjects' height and magnitude of conus medullaris displacement in response to unilateral SLR was found, while no correlation (r < 0.1) emerged with bilateral SLR and CuMeD. No correlation was found for other values such as age, weight or BMI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data show that in in vivo and structurally intact asymptomatic volunteers, the degree of hip flexion may have strong predictive values for magnitude of neural displacement in response to unilateral and bilateral SLRs. This provides further justification to its quantification in clinical settings. Magnitude of conus medullaris displacement in response to unilateral and bilateral SLRs is not likely to be predicted from easily clinically collectable measures such as age, height, weight and BMI. This study offers information relevant to investigation of prediction of neuromechanical responses in neurodynamic tests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 1607, 70211, Kuopio, Finland. marinko.rade@gmail.com.|"Prim. dr.Martin Horvat" Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Hospital, Luigi Monti street n.2, 52210, Rovinj, Croatia. marinko.rade@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marinko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rade
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. mervi.kononen@kuh.fi.
authors.forename: Mervi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Könönen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. jarkko.marttila@kuh.fi.
authors.forename: Jarkko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marttila
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. ritva.vanninen@kuh.fi.
authors.forename: Ritva
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vanninen
authors.affiliation: Neurodynamic Solutions, Adelaide, Australia. michael@neurodynamicsolutions.com.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shacklock
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. markku.kankaanpaa@pshp.fi.
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kankaanpää
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 1607, 70211, Kuopio, Finland. olavi.airaksinen@kuh.fi.
authors.forename: Olavi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Airaksinen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012585:Sciatica / Q000175:diagnosis; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Low back pain; Radiculopathy; Sciatica; Spinal cord; Straight leg raise