Development and validation of a new technique for assessing lumbar spine motion.
METHODS
Dynamic lumbar flexion-extension motions were assessed by an electrogoniometer and a videofluoroscopy unit simultaneously.


OBJECTIVE
To develop and validate a new technique for the assessment of lumbar spine motion.


BACKGROUND
Spine instability, a clinical condition that is common but difficult to diagnose, has been suggested to involve a characteristic change in the relation between vertebrae during motion. Assessment of lumbar instability using functional radiographs is controversial. Information regarding dynamic spine kinematics in vivo is limited.


METHODS
A lumbar spine motion analysis system was developed, and its reliability was assessed. Simultaneous total flexion range of motion and segmental motion of the lumbar spine were assessed in 30 healthy volunteers. Lumbar images were captured in 10 degrees intervals during flexion-extension. Intervertebral flexion-extension of each vertebral level was calculated.


RESULTS
In flexion, the lumbar vertebrae flexed with a descending order from L1 to L5 throughout the motion. Conversely, the concavity of lumbar lordosis increased steadily in extension. No statistically significant difference in the pattern of motion was found between genders.


CONCLUSIONS
The results from this study showed that the newly developed technique is reliable. It may have potential value for evaluating spine instability in clinical practice.
Lee
Sai-wing
SW
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. rsswlee@polyu.edu.hk
Wong
Kris W N
KW
Chan
Man-kwong
MK
Yeung
Hon-ming
HM
Chiu
Jeffrey L F
JL
Leong
John C Y
JC
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002138:Calibration; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D014741:Video Recording