Lumbar segmental instability has emerged as a characteristic finding in many phases of spinal pain. Onset of lumbar segmental instability may be insidious in cases of isthmic spondylolisthesis of acute in cases of disc herniation. Surgical treatment of these conditions produces specific atrophy. Lumbar multifidus atrophy persists if specific interventions are not performed. Correlations between cross sectional area of the lumbar multifidis and disability questionnaires have not been demonstrated in these two medical diagnoses. The objective was to examine the effects of a 6-week criterion-based stabilization program on subjects with surgical and non-surgical medical diagnoses of lumbar segmental instability.
