Determination of the Lumbar Lordotic and Lumbosacral Angles in Normal Adults Ghanaian Population Using Radiologic Imaging Technique

Abstract

Changes in posture is among the risk factors of low back pain. The shape of the lumbar spine is influenced in a way by a strain on tendons and muscles because of abnormal posture. Little is known about what the nominal value of key radiologic angles for the Ghanaian populace is and accordingly, what comprises hypo-/ hyper-lordosis. The Lumbar Lordotic Angle (LSA) and Lumbosacral Angle (LSA) are potential angles, for the examination of low back issues, in addition to treatment and diagnosis. The study was intended to measure LLA and LSA of this populace using the local data. A retrospective methodology was adopted to gather typical laterally prostrate lumbosacral radiographs of 140 subjects (15 years or more) in a recumbent position.  The normal LLA values varied between 20.90to 68.00 with the mean (standard deviation) of 35.9 (9.82)° and there exist a significant difference with sex but insignificant variations among the age categories comparable to a number of the literature values. The normal LSA values varied between 15.00and 51.00 with the mean (standard deviation) of 34.3 (7.45) ° and there was no significant variation with sex and among the age categories. Furthermore, it has been established that the measured values at which to consider hypolordosis (below LLA=17.9°; LSA=12.00), and hyper-lordosis (above LLA=72.0°; LSA=55.00) in the Ghana population. This study have also established that in all the various age groups between 15 and 80 years, there exist no significant difference in the mean LLA and LSA among the groups, and this affirms that the development of lumbar lordosis reaches a plateau when spine is fully developed. Furthermore, female LSA and LLA shows higher measured values compared to their male counterpart in the Ghanaian population which confirmed other study values in literature. Finally, a reference chart of LSA and LLA has also been developed for clinical application in Ghana.