Mechanical Disorders of the Lumbar Spine

Abstract

The lumbar spine is an impressive mechanical system but it can fail from injury or abuse. This paper reviews four recognisable back pain syndromes, which result from mechanical failure, symptomatic disc protrusion, root entrapment syndrome, segmental instability and neurogenic claudication - their clinical presentation, and what is understood about their multifactoral aetiology.

Key Words:

• joint instability
• low back pain
• lumbar vertebrae
• spinal canal
• spinal nerve roots
• spine.