title: Physical measurements of the lumbar spine.
abstract: This article describes measurement of lumbar function. The simplest range of motion devices are compared with the progressive, more complex computerized devices for range and strength testing. The author presents his own opinion as to the place of these devices in both research and clinical practices. The economics of accurate physical testing is compared to the clinical realities of current payment systems.
authors.affiliation: UCSD OrthoMed, University of California, USA.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mooney
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted