Compensatory Pelvic Retro-Rotation Associated with a Decreased Quality of Life in Patients with Normal Sagittal Balance

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study.Purpose: To examine whether pelvic rotation as a compensatory mechanism for sagittal imbalance is related to quality of life (QOL).Overview of Literature: Poor sagittal alignment is associated with compensatory pelvic retroversion and decreased QOL. Whether the compensatory pelvic tilt (PT) influences QOL is unclear.Methods: Overall, 134 subjects aged ≥20 years with lower back pain were included (104 females; mean age, 70±9.8 years). Sagittal vertical alignment (SVA) and PT were analyzed radiographically. Patients were stratified into three groups based on SVA values: good alignment (group G), intermediate alignment (group I), and poor sagittal alignment (group P). Patients in group I were further categorized into two groups: low PT and high PT. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) was used for clinical assessment, and the scores were compared between groups.Results: As SVA increased, PT and lumbar lordosis (LL) increased and decreased, respectively. PT and LL differed significantly between groups G and P (pp