Isokinetic Muscle Strength of the Trunk and Bilateral Knees in Young Subjects With Lumbar Disc Herniation

In Brief Study Design. Cross-sectional study comparing normal subjects and patients with lumbar disc herniation. Objective. To evaluate trunk and knee muscle strength in patients with L4–L5 and/or L5–S1 disc herniation. Summary of Background Data. Numerous studies have shown that patients with low back pain have weaker trunk muscles. The strength of trunk and knee muscles has not been investigated simultaneously in patients with lumbar disc herniation. Methods. Forty-one controls and 2 patients were included. Isokinetic strength of the trunk and bilateral knees was tested on a calibrated isokinetic testing machine (Biodex System 3 Pro) regardless of the laterality of the radiculopathy. The testing was carrying out at two different velocities: 60° and 120° per second. Results. Total trunk strength and knee strength were significantly lower in these patients (4.34 ± 1.06 and 4.06 ± 1.16 vs. 6.21 ± 1.05 and 5.83 ± 1.09 Nm/kg at 60° and 120° per second, respectively, P < 0.001). In patients with unilateral sciatica, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in unilateral knee strength between sciatica-involved and -uninvolved limbs (1.89 ± 0.5, 1.08 ± 0.45, 1.48 ± 0.58, 0.93 ± 0.41 vs. 1.68 ± 0.45, 0.91 ± 0.38, 1.41 ± 0.48, 0.79 ± 0.39 Nm/kg in sciatica-uninvolved vs. sciatica-involved limbs during extension and flexion at 60° and 120° per second, respectively). Total trunk strength was significantly correlated with total knee strength in both groups. Conclusions. In the patients with lumbar disc herniation, muscle strength of the trunk and knees was decreased to a similar extent. Weaker knee strength was found on either side of the lower extremity in the patients with unilateral sciatica, regardless of its location. Trunk and knee muscle strength was studied in patients with L4–L5 or L5–S1 lumbar disc herniation on a calibrated isokinetic machine. Compared with the controls, there is a 30% reduction in trunk muscle strength and 29% reduction of knee muscle strength in both knees regardless of laterality of radiculopathy.