RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: There is a strong relationship between lower back pain and paraspinal muscle atrophy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of lumbar paravertebral muscle atrophy in patients with and without single-level disc herniation. METHODS: The 110 retrospectively analyzed patients in this study were divided into 2 groups. Group A included 55 patients with radiologically confirmed single-level disc herniation with back pain and radiculopathy. Group B included 55 patients with back pain without radiologic lumbar disc herniation. The paravertebral muscle cross-sectional areas were measured in both groups by 2 independent observers. RESULTS: In total, 68 women and 42 men were examined. Their mean age was 40.85 years old. The mean ages of groups A and B were 42.49 and 39.22 years, respectively. The cross-sectional areas of the multifidus muscles (MM) and erector spinae muscles were significantly greater in group B than in group A (P < 0.0001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the psoas major cross-sectional areas, disc heights, and perpendicular distances between the MM and the laminae. CONCLUSIONS: The MM and erector spinae muscle groups are innervated by the dorsal root of the spinal nerve arising from the same level; therefore, long-term pressure on the root caused by disc herniation can cause atrophy and degeneration of that muscle group.
