Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review the evaluation method of paraspinal muscle and its role in lumbar spine diseases, and offer reference for further research on paraspinal muscles. METHODS: The related literature of paraspinal muscle measurement and its role in lumbar spine diseases was reviewed. The evaluation methods of paraspinal muscle were analyzed from the advantages and disadvantages and the role of paraspinal muscle in lumbar spine diseases was summarized. RESULTS: Radiographic methods are often used to evaluate the atrophy of paraspinal muscle, mainly including CT and MRI. The cross-sectional area and fatty infiltration of paraspinal muscle are two key parameters. Radiographic methods are reproducible and widely applied, but CT has the disadvantage of radiation exposure, while the cost of MRI is high. Besides, more and more researchers focus on the functional evaluation of paraspinal muscle, which mainly includes surface electromyogram analysis and back muscle strength test. The surface electromyogram analysis can quantitatively measure neuromuscular function, but the results could be affected by many influencing factors. The back muscle strength test is simple, but it lacks standardized posture. The atrophy of paraspinal muscle is related to many lumbar spine diseases, while the results of different researches are different. CONCLUSION: There are many methods to evaluate paraspinal muscles, but there is no unified standard. The role of paraspinal muscle in lumbar spine diseases need to be further studied.