Extension-flexion radiographs for motion studies of the lumbar spine. A comparison of two methods.
Since abnormal motion is a quantitative phenomenon and present primarily in the two lowest vertebral spaces, a roentgen examination method yielding the maximum mobility would appear to be suitable. When performing extension-flexion radiographs of the lumbar spine, positioning of patients varies considerably. The present study describes a new examination method, yielding better mobility of the spine than any method earlier described. For the two lowest vertebral spaces, L4-5 and L5-S1, the new method implied significantly greater angular mobility and total angular mobility between L2-S1 than a previous method. Intra- and interobserver errors accounted for were acceptable and the accuracy of the measurements sufficient for clinical work.
Putto
E
E
Department of Radiology, Orthopaedic Hospital of the Invalid Foundation, Helsinki, Finland.
Tallroth
K
K
D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D011859:Radiography; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000592:standards*