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Purpose: People with a stoma believe that there is a link between their surgery and low back pain (LBP). Aim: To explore factors relating to (i) core stability in people with a stoma and LBP and (ii) biopsychosocial factors related to LBP. Methods: Adults with an ileostomy and LBP (n = 17) completed (i) a range of standardised instruments, (ii) clinical tests and (iii) an ultrasound scan of right and left transversus abdominis (TrA).Results: The findings showed moderate pain and disability: RMDQ: median = 12 (IQR: 9.5–13), EQ-5D health state: mean = 6.9 (±1.75), BPI pain severity: median = 4.5 (IQR: 2.87–5.4). The TrA contraction was less on the operated than the unoperated side and this was linked to less control for BKFO to the operated side, and the presence of a parastomal hernia. Co-morbidities were associated with greater balance problems during the stork test (p < 0.05). Men had more fear avoidance (p < 0.05) on the FABQ regarding physical activity. Discussion: Abdominal function may be altered after stoma surgery leading to reduced ability to perform functional tasks and a possible increased risk of backpain. These results should be viewed with caution due to the small sample size.

Purpose. To investigate whether low back pain (LBP) is a problem for people with a stoma.Method. Following ethical approval, a postal questionnaire was sent to the Ileostomy Association of Northern Ireland (n¼402).Results. The response rate was 81.6%. Two hundred ninety three (72.8%) were included in the analysis. The participants fell into three groups: those who never had LBP (n=102, 34.8%), those who had LBP but not within the last 6 months (n=26, 8.9%) and those who had LBP within the last 6 months (n¼165, 56.3%). Participants with LBP (n=165)compared the ease with which they could carry out everyday tasks: ‘before’ and ‘since’ surgery. There was a mean increased difficulty of between 1.75 and 2.26 points across all tasks. The Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire scores ranged from 0 to 24 with 50% having a score of 8/24 or higher. Some participants (n=76, 46.1%) believed that the stoma surgery was the reason for their back pain, followed by 27.9% (n=46) blaming weak muscles. Others (53.3%) thought their back pain was worsening. There was a significant rise in the incidence of first episode back pain within a year of surgery.Conclusions. These results suggest that LBP is a problem for people with a stoma.

The abdominal muscles play a vital role in lumbar stability. The stoma surgery creates a permanent flaw in the abdominal wall and this may increase the risk of low back pain for people with a stoma.To determine whether there was a difference in back pain experience between the two stoma groups: ileostomy and colostomy.A postal questionnaire sent to people in Northern Ireland with an ileostomy or colostomy.Over half (56.7%, n = 417) had back pain in the last 6 months and the primary perceived cause was the stoma surgery. There was a statistically significant deterioration in functional activities in those with back pain when 'today' was compared with 'before surgery'. Those with a colostomy had generally poorer outcomes in respect of pain and disability, than those with an ileostomy.Low back pain in people with a stoma is a real and complex issue, especially as there are significant differences between those with an ileostomy when compared with people with a colostomy. Many factors are likely to contribute to a person developing low back pain, not least, the underlying reason for the surgery and the surgical procedure itself.