CT measures of lumbosacral paraspinal muscle size are not correlated with CT measures of lumbosacral stability in military working Labrador Retrievers.

Management of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in military working dogs more frequently utilizes core conditioning exercise programs. Future research on the effectiveness of these programs may benefit from an improved understanding of relationships between paraspinal muscle size and lumbosacral stability. The aim of this retrospective, secondary analysis, cross-sectional study was to test the following hypotheses related to CT measures: (a) transverse paraspinal muscle area ratios differ between hip flexion and extension, (b) lumbosacral angle and lumbosacral range of motion differ by lumbosacral angle measurement technique, and (c) transverse paraspinal muscle area ratios are correlated with CT measures of lumbosacral stability (parasagittal and parasagittal oblique foraminal area changes) regardless of hip position and with lumbosacral range of motion within each hip position.