Tuncay Varol

Comparative morphometry of the lower lumbar vertebrae: osteometry in dry bones and computed tomography images of patients with and without low back pain.

Various factors affect the development of the vertebral canal. The dimensions of the vertebral canal and the intervertebral foramen can be altered by these factors before or after birth. Sex differences in dimensions have also been reported. When there is a stenosis of the vertebral canal or the intervertebral foramen, neural structures confined within them can be affected easily, resulting in symptoms. Using computed tomography images, we compared vertebral canal dimensions in 100 patients with low back pain and/or radiculopathy with those in 40 healthy, non-symptomatic controls. We also measured the dimensions of 275 dry bones. We found significant correlations among the variables in the live subjects. We found significant differences between patients and controls in the variables that were measured. Stenoses were more prevalent in females. Dry bone measurements showed some sex differences, and stenosis mainly in vertebrae L4, L5 and S1.

Relation between foot pain and plantar pressure in pregnancy

Background/aim: Hormonal and structural changes that occur during pregnancy cause alterations in body biomechanics. These alterations reach their peak in the last trimester. Adaptive changes that appear in the foot result in pain in the foot and ankle. Pedobarography is a noninvasive measurement method that can be used to understand the origin of such pain. Materials and methods: One hundred and thirty-one pregnant women who did not have a foot or ankle problem prior to pregnancy volunteered to take part in the study. Pain was quantified by a visual analog scale (VAS). A cut-off value of 2.95 was taken to divide the subjects into two groups: Group 1 (n = 70) with VAS scores of <2.95 and Group 2 (n = 61) with VAS scores of ?2.95. Plantar pressure measurements were taken by Tekscan HR Mat using midgait protocol. Results: Forces experienced by the total right foot area, right forefoot, and the midfoot for both feet were significantly higher in Group 2 (P < 0.05). Contact area was significantly larger in Group 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Results indicate that presence and severity of foot pain during pregnancy are related to the force distribution along the foot, especially at midfoot and the contact area.