The Lumbodorsal Fascia as a Potential Source of Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review

Jan Wilke, Robert Schleip, Werner Klingler, Carla Stecco

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

103 Scopus citations

Abstract

The lumbodorsal fascia (LF) has been proposed to represent a possible source of idiopathic low back pain. In fact, histological studies have demonstrated the presence of nociceptive free nerve endings within the LF, which, furthermore, appear to exhibit morphological changes in patients with chronic low back pain. However, it is unclear how these characteristics relate to the aetiology of the pain. In vivo elicitation of back pain via experimental stimulation of the LF suggests that dorsal horn neurons react by increasing their excitability. Such sensitization of fascia-related dorsal horn neurons, in turn, could be related to microinjuries and/or inflammation in the LF. Despite available data point towards a significant role of the LF in low back pain, further studies are needed to better understand the involved neurophysiological dynamics.

Original languageEnglish
Article number5349620
JournalBioMed Research International
Volume2017
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

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