The Comparison of Leg Length Discrepancy and Quadratus Lumborum Endurance between Females with Chronic Low Back Pain and Healthy Females

Introduction: Leg Length Discrepancy and Quadratus Lumborum weakness can be related to low back pain. During physical examination in many cases these two factors are omitted by clinicians. The aim of this study was comparison between Leg Length Discrepancy and Quadratus Lumborum endurance between female with chronic low back pain and healthy subjects. Materials & Methods: In this case-control study, forty nine chronic low back pain female patients as case group compared with forty nine healthy females as control group. Leg Length Discrepancy was investigated by two methods included real and apparent Leg Length Discrepancy measurement. The Quadratus Lumborum endurance was evaluated by side bridge test. Statistical analysis was done by T-test and SPSS software,version 15 was used for this purpose. Results: There were no significant differences between real and apparent Leg Length Discrepancy between case and control groups (p=0.828, p=0.336). The Quadratus Lumborum endurance demonstrated significant differences in right and left side between two groups (p=0.001, p=0.002). Conclusion: This study showed there was no relationship between Leg Length Discrepancy and low back pain, may be due to body adaptation to Leg Length Discrepancy. Also significant decreases of Quadratus Lumborum endurance was seen in chronic low back pain patients, that shows the importance of this muscle for providing stability and support of spinal column. Although more studies will be needed. Key Words: Chronic Low Back Pain, Quadratus Lumborum endurance, Leg Length Discrepancy