Özet:

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the lower extremity isokinetic muscle strength alterations and the relationships between isokinetic muscle strength and symptom severity in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: Forty-eight patients with chronic low back pain aged between 20-50 years (mean age: 33.4±10.2 years) and 47 healthy individuals aged between 19-50 years (mean age: 31.7±9 years) participated in this study. Pain severity of individuals with chronic low back pain was assessed by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the disability rate was according to Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic muscle strength of the participants were evaluated by using Biodex System 4 (Biodex Corp., Shirley, NY) at the speed of 90°/s. Results: In the chronic low back pain group, the average resting pain severity was 3.7±2.7 cm, the average activity pain severity was 5.8±2.4 cm, the average night pain severity was 2.6±3.3 cm according to VAS. The average disability rate was 21.64±12.11. There was no difference between the groups in terms of concentric and isometric strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles (p>0.05). No correlation was determined between muscle strength and pain and disability outcomes (p>0.05). Conclusion: According to our results, quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic muscle strength is not different from healthy individuals in patients with chronic low back pain. Quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic muscle strength is not related to pain and disability.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Özet:

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the lower extremity isokinetic muscle strength alterations and the relations between isokinetic muscle strength and symptom severity in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: Forty-eight patients with chronic low back pain aged between 20-50 years (mean age: 33.4±10.2 years) and 47 healthy individuals aged between 19-50 years (mean age: 31.7±9 years) participated in this study. Pain severity of individuals with chronic low back pain was assessed by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the disability rate was according to Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic muscle strength of the participants were evaluated by using Biodex System 4 (Biodex Corp., Shirley, NY) at the speed of 90°/s. Results: In the chronic low back pain group, the mean resting pain severity was 3.7±2.7 cm, the mean activity pain severity was 5.8±2.4 cm, the mean night pain severity was 2.6±3.3 cm according to VAS. The mean disability rate was 21.64±12.11. There was no difference between the groups in terms of concentric and isometric strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles (p>0.05). No correlation was determined between muscle strength and pain and disability outcomes (p>0.05). Conclusion: According to our results, quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic muscle strength is not different from healthy individuals in patients with chronic low back pain. Quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic muscle strength is not related to pain and disability.