IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

Dr. Aalap Shah; Dr. Megha Sheth; Dr. Disha Shah

Volume : VII, Issue : V, May - 2018

CORRELATION OF WALKING DURATION WITH SPINAL CANAL DIAMETER IN –SUBJECTS HAVING LUMBAR RADICULOPATHY

Dr. Aalap Shah, Dr. Megha Sheth, Dr. Disha Shah

Abstract :

Background: Subjects with lumbarradiculopathy have been found with reduced walkingvelocities, short stride lengths, and increased periods ofdouble limb support. However, no correlation has been done between walking duration and spinal canal diameter.

Aims of the study: To correlate walking duration and spinal canal diameter in subjects having lumbar radiculopathy and to compare the walking duration between stenotic and astenotic subjects.

Method: A correlational study with 60 randomly selected subjects having lumbar radiculopathy as diagnosed by an orthopedic and having an MRI report was conducted. Those having any other lower limb pathologies present like Osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, any previous history of lower limb surgery, back surgery, Diabetic neuropathy, history of back trauma, spinal fractures, contra–indications to MRI, vascular claudication, limb length discrepancy and spinal tumors were excluded. Subjects were asked to walk at their comfortable speeds up to the point of reproduction of their symptoms. The duration of walking was recorded. Canal diameters were recorded from their MRI reports. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Level of significance was kept at 5%.

Results: Moderate positive correlation was found between walking duration and canal diameter (ƍ=0.486, p<0.001) using Spearman correlation test. Statistically significant difference was found between stenotic and astenotic subjects for walking duration (p<0.001) using Mann Whitney U test.

Conclusion: There is moderately positive correlation between walking duration and canal diameter in lumbar radiculopathy subjects. Walking durations in stenotic subjects are significantly lower than those in astenotic subjects.