Disc Degeneration Affects the Multidirectional Flexibility of the Lumbar Spine

Abstract

In flexion-extension, the ROM decreased and NZR increased with degeneration. In axial rotation, NZ and NZR increased with degeneration. In lateral bending, the ROM significantly decreased and the NZR increased with degeneration. In all three loading directions, the NZR increased, indicating greater joint laxity with degeneration.