A foundation textbook for those requiring an understanding of the structure and biomechanics of the lumbar spine and sacrum. The book aims to bring together in one source all of the elements of anatomy and biomechanics which are clinically relevant to the study of lumbar spinal pain. It explains how the lumbar spine is designed to subserve its functions in terms of its biochemical, histological and macroscopic structure. The muscles and innervation of the lumbar spine are comprehensively described and there is a helpful introduction to the concepts of biomechanics and how they relate to normal function and injury.
The text has been designed and presented in a format which makes it suitable for use by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, manual therapists and post graduate medical students in fields concerned with the management and prevention of back pain and related conditions eg rheumatology, orthopaedics, occupational medicine, ergonomics rehabilitation. The content follows a very clear and logical structure which will be retained for the 4th edition.
The lumbar vertebrae The inter-body joints and the intervertebral discs The zygapophysial joints The ligaments of the lumbar spine The lumbar lordosis and the vertebral canal The sacrum Basic biomechanics Movements of the lumbar spine The lumbar muscles and their fascia Nerves of the lumbar spine Blood supply of the lumbar spine Embryology and development Age changes in the lumbar spine The sacroiliac joint Low back pain Instability Radiographic Anatomy Appendix: Identification of the lumbar vertebrae Index