Center of gravity and radiographic posture analysis: a preliminary review of adult volunteers and adult patients affected by scoliosis.
METHODS
This is a prospective radiographic and force plate analysis involving adult volunteer and patients with scoliosis.


OBJECTIVE
To assess accurately the center of pressure in standing volunteers and patients with scoliosis, and correlate these finding with radiographic data.


BACKGROUND
A simple and commonly applied parameter of global balance is the plumbline offset. This radiographic measurement refers to the center of C2 (or C7) drawn vertically downward. Although this measurement is simple, it may not accurately reflect the balance of the spine.


METHODS
This study included adult volunteers (n = 41) and patients with scoliosis (n = 45). Full-length, freestanding spine radiographs were obtained with subjects on a force plate. Simultaneous assessment of the radiologic spinal posture and the floor projection of the center of pressure (gravity line) was possible. The latter was projected on the full spine images and correlated to common radiographic parameters.


RESULTS
The position of the gravity line differed significantly from the plumbline in frontal and sagittal planes (P < 0.001). This difference was maintained in both study populations. The mean frontal plane alignment of the gravity line was consistently to the right of the plumbline. The mean sagittal plane alignment of the gravity in relation to the plumbline revealed an offset anteriorly.


CONCLUSIONS
The data analysis of offsets between the gravity line and radiographic parameters revealed a frontal plane mean displacement of the gravity line to the right. In the sagittal plane, a highly significant lack of correlation between the gravity line and plumbline was noted. The plumbline represents a common and convenient visual display of apparent sagittal plane imbalance, but its value as a marker of true postural balance must be questioned.
Spine Center, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA.
Abdelkrim Benchikh
AB
El Fegoun
Frank
F
Schwab
Lorenzo
L
Gamez
Nicolas
N
Champain
Wafa
W
Skalli
Jean-Pierre
JP
Farcy
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006112:Gravitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*