Functional activity of healthy elder people : clinical significance of radiological findings in the cervical spine

The purpose of this paper is to examine the functional activity of 121 elder persons (over 60 years old) that are living in the community and feeling well. All persons underwent a medical interview, answered a questionnaire about JOA score (Japan Orthopaedics Associastion) for evaluation of ADL, had X-ray taken of the cervical spine and performed a physical function test for evaluation of physical age compared with their real age. There were 64 persons (52.9%) with complications including hypertension in 32 persons (58.7%), osteoarthrosis of knee joints in 19 (29.7%), and hyperlipdemia in 7 (10.9%). There were 100 persons (83%) with abnormal findings in cervical spine radiography such as ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in 2.5%, intervertebral disc narrowing in 68.6%, spondylolistesis in 11.6%, dynamic canal stenosis in 11.6%, osteophytes in 46.3% and malalignment in 33.9%. These abnormal findings did not correlate with JOA scores. Their physical ages were higher than their real ages. The physical ages of elder persons with complications were significantly higher. However physical ages did not correlate with JOA scores. Although they have abnormal radiological findings and complications, they are living in the community and have some roles in their family. In conclusion, it is an important point for elderly to live well to stand on their own feet in daily life at home and feel fine and healthy.

高齢者

頚椎X線所見

JOAスコア

身体機能

本文データは山口大学医学会の許諾に基づきCiNiiから複製したものである