title: Noninvasive measurement of cervical tri-planar motion in normal subjects.
abstract: An electronic digital inclinometer was used to obtain normative data on cervical mobility from 58 normal subjects. They consisted of 28 males (age range, 17-61) and 30 females (age range, 19-62). The measurements were taken from occiput to T1 in flexion-extension, lateral bend, and axial rotation, isolating the regional motion by measuring simultaneously the upper and lower margins of the eight mobile segments. A comparison of radiographs and inclinometer measures showed excellent correlations (r < 0.9997, P < 0.05). Normative data are presented. Gender-specific regional mobility differences occurred only in cervical extension, whereas no consistent age-related differences were found. Stiffer individuals could be found in either gender or any age group, but rigidity in one plane did not necessarily predict rigidity in another.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bovasso
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pope
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gatchel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics