Lumbo-Sacral Angle Evaluation Among Lebanese Population

Abstract
Background: Lumbar lordosis is an essential postural element that has gained the interest of both clinicians and researchers for several years. It is the inward curvature made by the wedging of the vertebrae of the lumbar spine. Since there is paucity of data on the lumbar lordosis in the Lebanese population, most of the data used in clinical practice to classify hypo- and hyper-lordosis are based on studies from other races. Aim: To identify the normal LSA in a Lebanese population, then see if there is a difference between the races, and determine if this angle is affected by the gender or age. Methods: A retrospective study established to measure lumbar lordosis using LSA technique. Lateral supine lumbosacral radiographs of 128 Lebanese subjects, aged between 19 and 84 years, were analyzed. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0. Results: The mean value (SD) of LSA was 38.980 ( + 9.90) with a min 15.70 and max 64.20. A significant difference was found between LSA and gender. However, there was no significant variation between this angle and age. Conclusion: The mean value of this angle 38.980 ( + 9.90) may form a reference for the Lebanese population. The study demonstrated that lumbar lordosis is affected by race and gender, with females having a greater LSA than males. Whereas, the latter wasn’t affected by age.