J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  1997 Nov;4(2):187-194.

Development of External Linkage Type of Spine Motion Analyer and Thoracic & Lumbar Motion Analysis in Normal Subjects

• Lee CK
• Kim YE
• Yeom JS
• Chang BS

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: External linkage type of spine motion analyzer and special programs for calculation of the relative angular motion and graphical display were developed and used to measure relative thoracic and lumbar motion patterns in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVES
To examine the dynamic relationship of thoracic and lumbar spines during various trunk motions and to measure main and coupling motions in three-dimensional spinal kinematics. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Many kinds of methods, such as inclinometer, stereoradiography, electrogoniometer, cadaveric study etc., were introduced for measuring lumbar spine motion. But, there is no reliable method for measuring accurate dynamic three-dimensional motion patterns of whole thoracic and lumbar spines.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty healthy men, ranging in age from 21 to 29 years, participated in the study. The developed device was tested to measure spine motion patterns in flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation.
RESULTS
The average range of motion for flexion was 71.30degrees/16.54degrees(lumbar/thoracic), for exten-zion 25.11degrees/12.67degrees, for one side lateral bending 27.42degrees/31.71degrees, for one side axial rotation 30.86degrees/24.38degrees. There were more coupling motions in lateral bending and axial rotation than in flexion and extension. Coupling motion pattern were found to be relatively consistent among subjects in active axial rotation, and the direction of coupling motion was flexion plus ipsilateral side bending.
CONCLUSIONS
It was rather simple and reliable method thor spine motion analysis. There were similarities between motion patterns of lumbar and thoracic spine. But, range of motion in sagittal plane was much greater in lumbar spine than in thoracic

MeSH Terms

Biomechanical Phenomena
Cadaver
Humans
Male
Range of Motion, Articular
Spine*