Spatial patterns of fat within the deep multifidus as a biomarker for chronic low back pain

20253 citationsJournal Articlehybrid Open Access

Authors

Karim Khattab · University of California, San Francisco

Lucas Dziesinski · University of California, San Francisco

Jessica Ornowski · University of California, San Francisco

Jiamin Zhou · University of California, San Francisco

Noah B. Bonnheim · University of California, San Francisco

Rebecca J. Crawford · Weatherford (Switzerland)

Aaron Scheffler

Abstract

FI in deep regions of the MF at L4L5 and L5S1 is more strongly associated with pain and adjacent disc degeneration and less associated with age, sex, and BMI than overall FI%. We identify regional differences in MF FI related to pain which improves our understanding of cLBP-related MF degeneration and provides additional context for possible causal mechanisms of FI. Further, the "deep15" FI% is a novel MF FI measure, and possible biomarker, more strongly associated with cLBP than summary measures.

Topics & Keywords

Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation Occupational Health and Performance Myofascial pain diagnosis and treatment

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Zero hunger

Publication Details

Published in: The Spine Journal

Volume 26, Issue 1, pp. 106-118

DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2025.07.022

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 4.19