Authors:
Pokharel RK, Brisco L, Mandal M, Agrawal JP, Dillon D, Vitale M, Woodland, P, Jacoby P, Downs J
Authors notes:
Journal of Nepal Health Research Council. 2014;12(27):94-99
Keywords:
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, lumbar lordosis, lumbar posture, Nepal, scoliosis
Abstract:
Scoliosis is a frequent association in boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when the ability to walk is lost around nine to 12 years of age.
This study assessed the contribution of physical factors including lumbar posture to scoliosis in non-ambulatory youth with DMD in Nepal.
The boys and young men had a mean age of 15.1 years, had been non-ambulant for 48.6 months and used a median of 3.5 postures a day.
The mean Cobb angle was 15.1 degrees.
Optimal accuracy in predicting scoliosis was obtained with a lumbar angle of -6 degrees as measured by skin markers, and both a lumbar angle </=-6 degrees and better functional ability were associated with less scoliosis.
Use of cross-legged sitting postures during the day was associated with a lumbar angle </=-6 degrees.
Use of cross-legged sitting posture was associated with increase in lumbar lordosis.
Higher angle of lumbar lordosis and better functional ability are associated with lesser degree of scoliosis