Gender Differences in Musculoskeletal Assessment Methods in Patients With Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain

Balance control

Romberg's test was used to assess static balance control. Each patient was tested in a single-leg stance with their eyes open on both a stable surface and then on an unstable surface. For the starting position, each patient stands on their dominant leg (determined by the football kicking test), with the unsupported leg in a neutral hip and 90-degree knee flexion position, and their arms crossed at chest level; the examiner observes this position for 60 seconds. In each test condition (SS and SUS), each patient was asked to maintain the position, and the duration for which they held the position was recorded.

Time frame: 6 months post-procedure

Spinal mobility

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to measure lumbar flexion and extension range of motion. The measurements were taken in a neutral standing position. A line connecting the two posterior superior iliac spines was drawn. Then, two points in the middle of the line and 15 cm above were marked. With lumbar flexion or extension, the distance between the two points was measured and subtracted from the 15 cm distance

Time frame: 6 months post-procedure

Hamstring flexibility

To begin the hamstring flexibility test, the patient sits on the floor with both feet straight forward against a box. Both knees were pressed down to the floor. With the palms facing downwards, and the hands side by side, the subject stretched forward four times and held the position of maximum reach on the fourth count. The patient was asked to maintain the position for two counts. The most distant line touched by the fingertips of both hands was noted, and the distance was measured in cm.