Oswestry Disability Index is a better indicator of lumbar motion than the Visual Analogue Scale

Background contextLumbar pathology is often associated with axial pain or neurologic complaints. It is often presumed that such pain is associated with decreased lumbar motion; however, this correlation is not well established. The utility of various outcome measures that are used in both research and clinical practice have been studied, but the connection with range of motion (ROM) has not been well documented.PurposeThe current study was performed to assess objectively the postulated correlation of lumbar complaints (based on standardized outcome measures) with extremes of lumbar ROM and functional ROM (fROM) with activities of daily living (ADLs) as assessed with an electrogoniometer.Study design/settingThis study was a clinical cohort study.Patient sampleSubjects slated to undergo a lumbar intervention (injection, decompression, and/or fusion) were enrolled voluntarily in the study.Outcome measuresThe two outcome measures used in the study were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for axial extremity, lower extremity, and combined axial and lower extremity, as well as the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).MethodsPain and disability scores were assessed with the VAS score and ODI. A previously validated electrogoniometer was used to measure ROM (extremes of motion in three planes) and fROM (functional motion during 15 simulated activities of daily living). Pain and disability scores were analyzed for statistically significant association with the motion assessments using linear regression analyses.ResultsTwenty-eight men and 39 women were enrolled, with an average age of 55.6 years (range, 18–79 years). The ODI and VAS were associated positively (p<.001). Combined axial and lower extremity VAS scores were associated with lateral and rotational ROM (p<.05), but not with flexion/extension or any fROM. Similar findings were noted for separately analyzed axial and lower extremity VAS scores. On the other hand, the ODI correlated inversely with ROM in all planes, and fROM in at least one plane for 10 of 15 ADLs (p<.05).ConclusionsExtremes of lumbar motion and motions associated with ADLs are of increasing clinical interest. Although the ODI and VAS are associated with each other, the ODI appears to be a better predictor of these motion parameters than the VAS (axial extremity, lower extremity, or combined) and may be more useful in the clinical setting when considering functional movement parameters.