Relationship of gluteus maximus insufficiency, tightness/weakness in the patients with chronic mechanical LBP in king khalid military city Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Chronic mechanical low back pain (CLBP) is the commonest musculoskeletal condition in the clinical practice. Pain and inactivity in CLBP patients can lead to tightness and weakness of gluteus maxmimus muscle fibres. Limited data from the studies are available on Saudi military population, hence we intend to know the relationship of gluteus maxmimus insufficiency in relation to CLBP as it contributes larger burden of disability, loss of work days, diminished quality of life and considerable health care cost in military personnel. The objective was to study the relationship of gluteus maximus insufficiency in the patients with chronic mechanical LBP in king Khalid military city Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was done on 100 patients with CLBP in king khalid military city hospital. The intensity of pain was measured by visual analog scores, Strength of Gluteus maximus muscle was measured by manual muscle testing, and the length of the muscle was measured by hip extension range of motion (ROM) using goniometer. Patients were also given rolland morris disability questionnaire for self scoring, recorded and duly signed by all patients and then results were analysed. Results: This study showed significant association between LBP and strength of gluteus maximus with p-value