Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Osteoporosis International 12/2009

01-12-2009 | Original Article

Spinal curvature and postural balance in patients with osteoporosis

Authors: Y. Ishikawa, N. Miyakoshi, Y. Kasukawa, M. Hongo, Y. Shimada

Published in: Osteoporosis International | Issue 12/2009

Login to get access

Abstract

Summary

Postural deformity might represent another risk factor for postural instability and falls. Relation between spinal curvatures and postural sway were evaluated. Lumbar (not thoracic) kyphosis and spinal inclination have a statistical correlation with postural sway. Postural deformity with lumber kyphosis may represent as a risk factor for falls.

Introduction

Postural instability has been considered as a risk factor for falls and osteoporotic fractures. Previous studies have demonstrated that several factors display significant relationships with postural instability. Postural deformity might represent another risk factor for postural instability and falls. This study evaluates the influence of spinal curvature on postural instability in patients with osteoporosis.

Methods

Subjects comprised 93 patients with a mean age of 70 years. Angles of thoracic and lumbar kyphosis and spinal inclination that reflected a forward stooped posture were evaluated using a computer-assisted device. Sway and postural instability were evaluated using a computerized stabilometer showing seven parameters. Relationships among parameters of postural deformity and postural balance were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients.

Results

No significant correlations were observed between any parameters of postural balance and angle of thoracic kyphosis. However, all parameters showed significant positive correlations with angle of lumbar kyphosis (r = 0.251–0.334; p < 0.05–0.001). Moreover, lumbar kyphosis, but not thoracic kyphosis, showed a positive correlation with spinal inclination (r = 0.692, p < 0.001), and all parameters of postural balance showed significant positive correlations with spinal inclination (r = 0.417–0.551, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Lumbar kyphosis, but not thoracic kyphosis, affecting spinal inclination and postural balance may represent a risk factor for falls.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Gillespie LD, Gillespie WJ, Robertson MC et al (2003) Interventions for preventing falls in elderly people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 4:CD000340PubMed Gillespie LD, Gillespie WJ, Robertson MC et al (2003) Interventions for preventing falls in elderly people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 4:CD000340PubMed
2.
go back to reference Gill T, Taylor AW, Pengelly A (2005) A population-based survey of factors relating to the prevalence of falls in older people. Gerontology 51:340–345CrossRefPubMed Gill T, Taylor AW, Pengelly A (2005) A population-based survey of factors relating to the prevalence of falls in older people. Gerontology 51:340–345CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Moylan KC, Binder EF (2007) Falls in older adults: risk assessment, management and prevention. Am J Med. 120:493.e1–493.e6CrossRef Moylan KC, Binder EF (2007) Falls in older adults: risk assessment, management and prevention. Am J Med. 120:493.e1–493.e6CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Rao SS (2005) Prevention of falls in older patients. Am Fam Physician 72:81–88PubMed Rao SS (2005) Prevention of falls in older patients. Am Fam Physician 72:81–88PubMed
5.
go back to reference Lips P, Cooper C, Agnusdei D et al (1999) Quality of life in patients with vertebral fractures: validation of the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO). Working Party for Quality of Life of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 10:150–160CrossRefPubMed Lips P, Cooper C, Agnusdei D et al (1999) Quality of life in patients with vertebral fractures: validation of the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO). Working Party for Quality of Life of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 10:150–160CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Miyakoshi N, Hongo M, Maekawa S et al (2007) Back extensor strength and lumbar spinal mobility are predictors of quality of life in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 18:1397–1403CrossRefPubMed Miyakoshi N, Hongo M, Maekawa S et al (2007) Back extensor strength and lumbar spinal mobility are predictors of quality of life in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 18:1397–1403CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Miyakoshi N, Itoi E, Kobayashi M et al (2003) Impact of postural deformities and spinal mobility on quality of life in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 14:1007–1012CrossRefPubMed Miyakoshi N, Itoi E, Kobayashi M et al (2003) Impact of postural deformities and spinal mobility on quality of life in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int 14:1007–1012CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Oleksik A, Lips P, Dawson A et al (2000) Health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women with low BMD with or without prevalent vertebral fractures. J Bone Miner Res 15:1384–1392CrossRefPubMed Oleksik A, Lips P, Dawson A et al (2000) Health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women with low BMD with or without prevalent vertebral fractures. J Bone Miner Res 15:1384–1392CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Ryan SD, Fried LP (1997) The impact of kyphosis on daily functioning. J Am Geriatr Soc 45:1479–1486PubMed Ryan SD, Fried LP (1997) The impact of kyphosis on daily functioning. J Am Geriatr Soc 45:1479–1486PubMed
11.
go back to reference Nguyen T, Sambrook P, Kelly P et al (1993) Prediction of osteoporotic fractures by postural instability and bone density. BMJ 307:1111–1115CrossRefPubMed Nguyen T, Sambrook P, Kelly P et al (1993) Prediction of osteoporotic fractures by postural instability and bone density. BMJ 307:1111–1115CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Ullom-Minnich P (1999) Prevention of osteoporosis and fractures. Am Fam Physician 60:194–202PubMed Ullom-Minnich P (1999) Prevention of osteoporosis and fractures. Am Fam Physician 60:194–202PubMed
13.
go back to reference Close J, Ellis M, Hooper R (1999) Prevention of falls in the elderly trial (PROFET): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 353:93–97CrossRefPubMed Close J, Ellis M, Hooper R (1999) Prevention of falls in the elderly trial (PROFET): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 353:93–97CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Fujita T, Nakamura S, Ohue M et al (2005) Effect of age on body sway assessed by computerized posturography. J Bone Miner Metab 23:152–156CrossRefPubMed Fujita T, Nakamura S, Ohue M et al (2005) Effect of age on body sway assessed by computerized posturography. J Bone Miner Metab 23:152–156CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Robertson MC, Campbell AJ, Gardner MM (2002) Preventing injuries in older people by preventing falls: a meta-analysis of individual-level data. J Am Geriatr Soc 50:905–911 Robertson MC, Campbell AJ, Gardner MM (2002) Preventing injuries in older people by preventing falls: a meta-analysis of individual-level data. J Am Geriatr Soc 50:905–911
16.
go back to reference Lynn SG, Sinaki M, Westerlind KC (1997) Balance characteristics of persons with osteoporosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 78:273–277CrossRefPubMed Lynn SG, Sinaki M, Westerlind KC (1997) Balance characteristics of persons with osteoporosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 78:273–277CrossRefPubMed
17.
18.
go back to reference Post RB, Leferink VJ (2004) Spinal mobility: sagittal range of motion measured with the SpinalMouse, a new non-invasive device. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 124:187–92CrossRefPubMed Post RB, Leferink VJ (2004) Spinal mobility: sagittal range of motion measured with the SpinalMouse, a new non-invasive device. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 124:187–92CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Jackson RP, Hales C (2000) Congruent spinopelvic alignment on standing lateral radiographs of adult volunteers. Spine 25:2808–2815CrossRefPubMed Jackson RP, Hales C (2000) Congruent spinopelvic alignment on standing lateral radiographs of adult volunteers. Spine 25:2808–2815CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Mellin G (1986) Measurement of thoracolumbar posture and mobility with a Myrin inclinometer. Spine 11:759–762CrossRefPubMed Mellin G (1986) Measurement of thoracolumbar posture and mobility with a Myrin inclinometer. Spine 11:759–762CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Shumway-Cook A, Woolacott MH (eds) (2001) Motor control. Theory and practical applications, 2nd ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore Shumway-Cook A, Woolacott MH (eds) (2001) Motor control. Theory and practical applications, 2nd ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore
22.
go back to reference Sasaki O, Gagey PM, Ouaknine AM et al (2001) Nonlinear analysis of orthostatic posture in patients with vertigo or balance disorders. Neurosci Res 41:185–189CrossRefPubMed Sasaki O, Gagey PM, Ouaknine AM et al (2001) Nonlinear analysis of orthostatic posture in patients with vertigo or balance disorders. Neurosci Res 41:185–189CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Rietdyk S, Patla AE, Winter DA et al (1999) Balance recovery from medio-lateral perturbations of the upper body during standing. J Biomech 32:1149–1158CrossRefPubMed Rietdyk S, Patla AE, Winter DA et al (1999) Balance recovery from medio-lateral perturbations of the upper body during standing. J Biomech 32:1149–1158CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Spinal curvature and postural balance in patients with osteoporosis
Authors
Y. Ishikawa
N. Miyakoshi
Y. Kasukawa
M. Hongo
Y. Shimada
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Osteoporosis International / Issue 12/2009
Print ISSN: 0937-941X
Electronic ISSN: 1433-2965
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-009-0919-9

Other articles of this Issue 12/2009

Osteoporosis International 12/2009 Go to the issue