Abstract:

Objective: Loss of lumbar lordosis is a clinical feature of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Pedobarographic analysis assesses the interaction between the foot and the supporting surface. Postural abnormalities can reflect as pressure distribution deviations on pedobarography. The objective of the present study was to assess whether loss of lumbar lordosis detected with lumbo-sacral angle measurement is related to postural control assessed by plantar loading distribution in patients with AS. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two patients (two female, 30 male, mean age: 43.06±7.8 years) with the diagnosis of AS, who already had a lateral lumbo-sacral X-ray performed within the past one year, were included in the study. Static and dynamic pedobarographic analyses of the patients were performed. The radiographic measurement of lumbo-sacral angle was done from lateral lumbo-sacral X-rays of the patients. Results: The static pedobarographic measurement revealed that lumbo-sacral angle was significantly correlated with forefoot plantar pressure (p=0.042; r=0.361). In the dynamic assessment, the maximum pressures were lower under the first metatarsal area in patients with lower lumbo-sacral angle (p=0.352; r=0.048). Conclusion: These findings suggest that foot joints may contribute to the compensation mechanism against the postural changes in patients with AS, statically and dynamically.

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