Affiliations: [a] Physiotherapy Department, Rehabilitation Faculty, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran | [b] Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Centre, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran | [c] Physiotherapy Department, Rehabilitation Faculty, Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran | [d] Epidemiology Group, Medical Faculty, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Amir Hoshang Bakhtiary, PhD., Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Centre, Ghods Ave, Semnan, Iran. Tel.: +98 231 4441983; Fax: +98 231 3354180; E-mail: amirbakhtiary@sem-ums.ac.ir
Abstract: Objective:This study was designed to find out the relationship between the multiplied linear dimensions (MLD) measurement and the cross-sectional area (CSA) measurement of the lumbar multifidus muscle. Methods:Sixty healthy female subjects participated in this study. The CSA of the lumbar multifidus muscle from L2 to L5 was bilaterally measured by tracing around the muscle margins with an on- screen cursor. The linear dimensions including lateral dimension (LD), anteroposterior dimension (APD) and MLD of the muscles were also calculated at the same levels of lumbar vertebrae. Results:The linear regression between CSA and MLD for each vertebral level was significant (r=0.89 to 0.97, p<0.0001). In addition, there was significant correlation between CSA and APD (r=0.69 to 0.87, p<0.05). Conclusions:MLD method can be used to predict the CSA of the lumbar multifidus muscle. The method described for assessing the multifidus muscle is a potentially valuable, quick and easy way to evaluate muscle size at different levels of the lumbar vertebrae in clinical practice.
Keywords: Lumbar multifidus muscle, cross-sectional area, multiplied linear dimension, ultrasonography
