Clinical Investigation of Senile Round Back

Many cases of senile round back have chronic backache. The etiology of backache is unknown. 101 cases of senile round back were investigated to clarify the mechanism of back pain. They were classified into 2 groups according to the types of round back, namely (1) the upper group in which the apex of kyphosis is located at the middle thoracic spine, and (2) the lower group in which the apex is at the thoracolumbar junction.Most of the cases in two groups demonstrated similar clinical symptoms. The pain was located at bilateral paravertebral regions including the area close to the lumbar spinal proccess and at the gluteal region. To determine the location and cause of back pain, facet block have been performed on 46 cases of senile roundback. The cause of back pain was confirmed in 34 casesby facet block. The level of block was mainly at L_<2-3>,and L_<3-4>, where local scoliosis was found in many cases. The level was slightly lower than the level of the endvertebra of round back.