Gender Differences in Spinal Morphological Attributes among Young Adults: A Preliminary Study / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

There is limited information regarding gender differences in spinal morphological attributes among healthy young adultsalthough alterations have been reported to influence postural changes, mainly with forward-bending and extensionpostures. The aim of this preliminary study was to examine gender differences in spinal morphological attributes oflumbar extensor muscles that includes its muscle fibre angles, thickness, endurance and thoracolumbar curvature amongyoung adults. Nineteen male and 26 female healthy young adults (aged 21-24 years) matched for age, body mass indexand physical activity levels participated in this preliminary study. Fibre angles and thickness of lumbar extensor muscleswere examined using ultrasonography. Lumbar extensor muscle endurance and thoracolumbar curvatures were assessedusing Sorenson’s test and a flexible ruler respectively. Paired t-test showed a significant mean difference (p < 0.01)between the right and left fibre angles. However, no significant mean difference (p = 0.50) was found between the rightand left muscle thickness. Results of independent t-test showed a significant difference (p < 0.01) in muscle thicknessbetween males and females. No significant differences were shown in right fibre angle (p = 0.12), left fibre angle (p =0.89), muscle endurance (p = 0.46), thoracic curvature (p = 0.76) and lumbar curvature (p = 0.06) between genders.There were no gender differences in spinal morphological attributes except for lumbar extensor muscle thickness inyoung adults age between 21 to 24. This study data may be useful as an initial reference norm of spinal morphologicalattributes among young adults. Further studies may be required to examine the factors that may influence changes inspinal morphological attributes among healthy adults.

Impact of Fat Infiltration in Cervical Extensor Muscles on Cervical Lordosis and Neck Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Weakness of cervical extensor muscles causes loss of cervical lordosis, which could also cause neck pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of fat infiltration in cervical extensor muscles on cervical lordosis and neck pain. METHODS: Fifty-six patients who suffered from neck pain were included in this study. Fat infiltration in cervical extensor muscles was measured at each level of C2–3 and C6–7 using axial magnetic resonance imaging. The visual analogue scale (VAS), 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were used for clinical assessment. RESULTS: The mean fat infiltration was 206.3 mm2 (20.3%) at C2–3 and 240.6 mm2 (19.5%) at C6–7. Fat infiltration in cervical extensor muscles was associated with high VAS scores at both levels (p = 0.047 at C2–3; p = 0.009 at C6–7). At C2–3, there was a negative correlation between fat infiltration of the cervical extensor muscles and cervical lordosis (r = −0.216; p = 0.020). At C6–7, fat infiltration in the cervical extensor muscles was closely related to NDI (p = 0.003) and SF-12 (p > 0.05). However, there was no significant correlation between cervical lordosis and clinical outcomes (VAS, p = 0.112; NDI, p = 0.087; and SF-12, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that fat infiltration in the upper cervical extensor muscles has relevance to the loss of cervical lordosis, whereas fat infiltration in the lower cervical extensor muscles is associated with cervical functional disability.

Variations in the Muscles of the Extensor Compartment of The Forearm and Hand and Its Clinical Significance.

Background: The extensor musculature of the forearm and hand shows diverse variations. These can lead to various clinical conditions. Case Report: During routine cadaveric dissection, variations were observed in the muscles of extensor compartment of the forearm. Their anatomical relations were documented and the embryological basis and clinical importance was stressed upon. During routine cadaveric dissection in a formalin fixed 58 year old male cadaver, variations in the posterior compartment of the left forearmwere noted,measured and appropriately photographed. Observations: In the posterior compartment of the left forearm an accessorymusclewas found originating from the posterior surface of ulna, just distal to the origin of extensor indicis. It traversed along with the tendons of extensor digitorum and extensor indicis in a common compartment underneath the extensor retinaculum and inserted onto the dorsal surface of the base of the proximal phalanx lateral to the tendon of extensor digitorum for the middle finger. Also, the extensor digitorum muscle divided only into three tendons instead of four- one each for the index,middle and ring finger. The three tendons inserted normally via the dorsal digital expansion but, the tendon for the ring finger gave an additional slip on the ulnar aspect, which inserted separately onto the base of the proximal phalanx of the ring finger. Conclusion: Muscles in the extensor compartment of forearm may show diverse variations which have clinical relevance. Accessorymusclesmay be confused with soft tissue conditions like a ganglion. Supernumary tendons can be utilised for tendon transfers andmuscle grafts. These variationsmust be brought to the knowledge of the surgeons performing hand surgeries.