Lumbar vertebrae transverse shortening

Speaking of the condition of transverse shortening of the lumbar vertebrae, everyone may feel very unfamiliar, because they don’t know what this description actually means. In fact, the main reason for transverse shortening of the lumbar vertebrae is still related to many bad living habits, such as incorrect posture or chronic strain, local ligament and nerve inflammation, which are all factors that lead to the disease.

Causes

1. The transverse process of the third lumbar vertebra has a larger posterior extension curvature than that of other lumbar vertebrae, extends the longest to the side, and is located in the middle of the lumbar vertebrae. The connecting line of the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae on both sides forms a longitudinal rhombus with the tip of the transverse process of the third lumbar vertebra as the vertex.

2. A number of muscles and fascia closely related to trunk movements are attached to the end of the lumbar transverse processes, mainly the transverse abdominal muscle, quadratus lumborum muscle, psoas major muscle, sacrospinalis muscle and lumbar fascia. The strong lumbar fascia is deeply attached to the terminal end of the lumbar transverse process, the hypochondrium and the iliac crest, and the transverse abdominal muscle transitions to the lumbar fascia and attaches to the transverse process. Changes in intra-abdominal pressure can affect the tissues at the end of the transverse process through the transverse abdominal muscle.

3. The third lumbar vertebra is located at the apex of the lumbar lordosis curve. The iliopsoas fibers of the latissimus dorsi muscle end at the transverse process of the third lumbar vertebra. Some muscle fibers of the psoas major muscle also end here, and some muscle fibers of the sacrospinal muscle also end here. Therefore, the third lumbar vertebra becomes the activity center of the lumbar vertebra. Because the transverse process of the third lumbar vertebra is long, the muscles, fascia, and ligaments attached here can effectively maintain the stability and normal activity of the spine. Longer transverse processes can enhance the leverage of muscles, giving them more opportunities for contraction and pulling and with the greatest pulling force. When these tissues contract abnormally, the ends of the transverse processes are the first to be affected. This anatomical feature forms the basis for the susceptibility of the distal end to injury.

Clinical manifestations

1. It is more common in young and middle-aged people engaged in physical labor, especially in men, who often complain of a history of lumbar trauma of varying severity.

2. The main symptom of this syndrome is low back pain, which varies from person to person. Some people experience very severe pain, while others experience persistent dull pain. The nature of the pain is generally pulling, but it can also be sore. The pain often worsens after sitting or standing for a long time or getting up in the morning. In severe cases, the pain may radiate down the thigh to above the knee. In rare cases, the pain may extend to the outside of the calf, but it is not aggravated by increased abdominal pressure (such as coughing, sneezing, etc.).

3. There is obvious local tenderness at the tip of the transverse process of the third lumbar vertebra, which is fixed in position. This is the characteristic of this syndrome. In some cases, the transverse process of the third lumbar vertebra is longer, and active muscle spasm nodules can be touched at its tip. The tense and spasmodic gluteus medius muscle can be touched at the front edge of the gluteus maximus, and local tenderness is obvious.