腰部脊柱管狭窄の診断に対する立位伸展負荷試験の有用性―歩行負荷試験との比較―前向きコホート研究

Diagnostic Value of the Lumbar Extension Test Compared with the Gait Loading Test in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. A Prospective Cohort Study

　立位伸展負荷試験前後での自覚症状と身体所見の変化を検討した．さらに，歩行負荷試験に伴う変化と比較することで立位伸展負荷試験の有用性を検討した．その結果，立位伸展負荷試験は，歩行負荷試験と同程度に，神経障害型式などの病態把握や安静時には顕著化されていない責任高位を明らかにするために有用であることが判明した．

　The purpose of this study was to analyze the diagnostic value of the lumbar extension test compared with the gait loading test in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

　We examined subjective symptoms and objective findings (motor, sensory, and reflex) before and after the lumbar extension test and gait loading test.　The efficacy of the lumbar extension test for diagnosis of the responsible level was assessed and compared with that of the gait loading test.

　In result, there was no statistically significant difference between the lumbar extension test and the gait loading test.

　The lumbar extension test is useful for understanding the pathology of patients with LSS and to determine the true responsible level.