LORDOTIC ANGLES IN LUMBAR SPONDYLOTIC PATIENTS IN RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL: IMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATION.

Abstract

Introduction: Spondylosis is a degenerative disease affecting the spine, characterized by changes in the intervertebral discs, vertebrae, and facet joints, associated with aging, pain, and disability. The study evaluated lordotic angles across lumber spine among spondylotic patients and compared variations of these angles with respect to age and sex, which may point out the need for physiotherapy/rehabilitation.

Method: This was a retrospective study among 395 adult patients presenting with radiographic evidence of lumbar spondylosis. Lordotic angles were measured using Cobbs methods and analysed using statistical analysis tools. Descriptive statistics was used to get mean angles, independent samples t-tests was used to compare angles by sex, Pearson correlation to assess linear relationships with age.

Results: The result showed mean lumbar lordotic angle for both male and female was 49.29⁰ ±0.56⁰ exhibiting highly significant sexual dimorphism (P<0.001), with females (52.97⁰±0.90⁰) retaining a greater lordosis than males (46.69⁰ ±0.65⁰).

Conclusions: The study concludes the degenerative changes of the lumbar spine among spondylosis patients is region specific. The lumbar spine showed preserved lordosis and significant sexual dimorphism. This reflects inherent anatomical and biomechanical adaptations. Conversely, the lack of a significant linear association with age is consistent across the lumbar segments.