Lumbar Segmental Joint Dysfunction

The lumbar spine (low back) begins at the base of the ribs and is made up of five vertebrae (spinal bones) labelled L1-L5 which connect to the sacrum and pelvis. Lumbar Segmental Joint Dysfunction is the term used to describe a number of lumbar joint injuries that affect the function of the lumbar spine. These include traumatic, biomechanical, hormonal, inflammatory or degenerative joint disease. These injuries may cause hypomobiliy (less movement) or hypermobility (more movement). This altered function can cause further problems with the surrounding joints, muscles and ligaments resulting in low back pain, pain up into the mid back, hip pain, groin pain and pain that travels down into the lower limbs.