Sanjay Kumar1, Sandeep Khuba2, Sujeet Gautam3, Anil Agarwal4, Muralidharan Vittobaraju5, Aakanksha Aggarwal6, Shikha Awal7, Prabhaker Mishra8
BACKGROUND
Scoliotic spine puts undue strain on the back musculature which may lead to the
production of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). The purpose of this study was to
find out the association of myofascial pain of iliopsoas and quadratus lumborum
in scoliotic patients and to look for any correlation between the degree of deformity
(Cobb’s angle) and severity of myofascial pain.
METHODS
A total of 60 patients of low back pain with spinal deformity were enrolled in the
study. The severity of the spinal deformity and pain was calculated with Cobb’s
angle and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scale (0 - 100) respectively. Patients
with iliopsoas and quadratus myofascial pain underwent trigger point therapy
along with regimen of stretching exercises. VAS scores were recorded at 0 - hour,
2 - hour, 2 - weeks, 1 month and 3 months after the procedure.
RESULTS
Forty-four patients out of 60 had myofascial pain of iliopsoas or quadratus
lumborum or both. 15, 31 and 12 patients had Cobb’s angle of 10 - 20, 21 - 30
and 31 - 40 degree, respectively. Trigger point injections were performed in 38
patients. The pre-procedure median VAS score was 70, at 0 hour 45, at 2 hour 40,
at 2 weeks 30, at 1 month 30 and at 3 months 30. A significant reduction (P <
0.001) in VAS score was observed till 3 months.
CONCLUSIONS
The myofascial pain of iliopsoas and quadratus lumborum is an important source
of low back pain in patients with scoliosis. There is no correlation between the
degree of scoliosis and severity of low back pain.
