
How do you measure lateral flexion of the spine?
Two methods for using a tape measure to examine lateral flexion of the spine have been introduced in the literature, with neither method becoming predominant in clinical use. These two methods include placing marks at the lateral thigh and the fingertip-to-floor method.
What is the range of range of motion of the spine?
Spinal motion is measured in degrees of range of motion, or ROM. All movement starts from a neutral position, standing up straight, arms to your sides and eyes straight ahead. This is 0 degrees. The four movements measured are flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation.
What tape measure is used to measure lumbar flexion?
SCHOBER METHOD: One of the most common tape measure procedures used to measure lumbar flexion relates to a technique originated by Schober and subsequently modified for measurement of spinal flexion.
How do you measure ROM of the spine?
The standard goniometer, consisting of two hinged rulers rotating on a protractor (described in detail in Chapter 1), is commonly used for measuring ROM of the spine. Techniques for measurement of flexion (see Figs. 8-17 to 8-20 ), extension (see Figs. 8-37 to 8-40 ), and lateral flexion (see Figs. 8-53 to 8-56) are described later in this chapter.

How do you measure lumbar flexion and extension?
2:384:52Lumbar Extension Range of Motion Measurement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to keep it along the midline of the pelvis. And not vertical to the floor. So you don'tMoreYou want to keep it along the midline of the pelvis. And not vertical to the floor. So you don't take into account hip motion when you're doing lumbar extension.
How is spine ROM measured?
2:183:10Goniometric Measurement: Lumbar Flexion Range Of Motion ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe stationary arm bisecting. The SSPs is the axis on the iliac crest. And then the mobile arm isMoreThe stationary arm bisecting. The SSPs is the axis on the iliac crest. And then the mobile arm is going to be bisecting. It's going to be the mid-axillary line so in the middle of the armpit.
How do you assess spinal movement in flexion position?
3:044:24Passive Intervertebral Assessment Lumbar Spine Flexion in SittingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo assess rotation move on to the FC lateral arch of l5. And move it ventrally with your thumb.MoreTo assess rotation move on to the FC lateral arch of l5. And move it ventrally with your thumb. Flection place your thumb EPSA laterally between the spinous process of r4. And r5.
What is normal flexion of spine?
Normal lumbar ranges of motion include 60 degrees of flexion, 25 degrees of extension, and 25 degrees of lateral, or side, bending.
What is normal range of motion for spine?
Together, these vertebrae allow you to perform the major movements of the spine. The normal ROM for flexion or forward bending is 90 degrees. For extension, it's approximately 30 degrees. The normal ROM for side bending and rotation is also 30 degrees.
How does goniometer measure back ROM?
1:324:28Trunk sidebending and rotation ROM using a goniometer and tape measureYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHand down your left leg. And then I'm going to line up my moving arm with c7 spinous process.MoreHand down your left leg. And then I'm going to line up my moving arm with c7 spinous process.
How much flexion does the lumbar spine have?
Table 1. Lumbar, Thoracic, and Thoracolumbar Spine Ranges of MotionAverage Healthy Ranges of Motion Measured from Anatomic PositionLumbar Spine (L1-L2 to L5-S1)Thoracolumbar Spine (T1-T2 to L5-S1)Flexion50 degrees85 degreesExtension15 degrees40 degreesRight lateral flexion20 degrees45 degrees3 more rows•Aug 30, 2017
What is lateral flexion of the spine?
Lateral flexion involves bending a body part, mainly your torso and neck, sideways. This type of movement can be affected by back injuries and other conditions. You can improve your lateral mobility with stretches and exercises focused on increasing flexibility in your back.
How is thoracolumbar flexion measured?
The thoracolumbar flexion angle was measured as the angle between a line from the T9 spinous process to the T12 spinous process, and a line from the T12 spinous process to the L2 spinous process. Hip posterior displacement was measured as the posterior horizontal displacement distance of the greater trochanter.
How is thoracic spine ROM measured?
0:071:0249 Thoracic and Lumbar Rotation Goniometer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition the stationary arm parallel to the anterior superior iliac spines align the moving arm withMorePosition the stationary arm parallel to the anterior superior iliac spines align the moving arm with the acromion. Processes read and record the goniometer measurement.
How do you assess the lumbar spine ROM?
4:5717:30Lumbar Spine Active Range of Movement | Clinical Physio - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo for the movement we're going to ask our patient to put their hands on the front of their thighs.MoreSo for the movement we're going to ask our patient to put their hands on the front of their thighs. And then slide their hands down their legs as far as they feel comfortable.
How do you test the ROM of thoracic and lumbar spine?
2:193:22Active ROM Assessment for the Thoracolumbar Spine - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPhysical examination for sagittal plane flexion extension frontal plane left lateral flexion rightMorePhysical examination for sagittal plane flexion extension frontal plane left lateral flexion right lateral flexion and transverse plane left rotation right rotation for the thoracolumbar.
How do you test thoracic range of motion?
0:504:25Thoracic Spine Passive Range of Movement | Clinical Physio - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're gonna ask them to put their arms across their chest. So we have a way of rotating them. And weMoreWe're gonna ask them to put their arms across their chest. So we have a way of rotating them. And we're going to put one hand on the anterior shoulder.
What is the degree of spinal motion?
All movement starts from a neutral position, standing up straight, arms to your sides and eyes straight ahead. This is 0 degrees. The four movements measured are flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation.
What is the normal ROM for flexion?
Together, these vertebrae allow you to perform the major movements of the spine. The normal ROM for flexion or forward bending is 90 degrees. For extension, it's approximately 30 degrees. The normal ROM for side bending and rotation is also 30 degrees.
What is the cervical spine?
Cervical Spine. Your cervical spine supports and enables you to move your head. It's made up of seven vertebrae and is shaped like an inward "C" called a lordotic curve. Flexion is dropping your chin to your chest, and the normal ROM is 45 degrees. Extension is dropping your head back and looking up.
How many vertebrae are in the thoracic spine?
The thoracic section of your spine is made up of 12 vertebrae and shaped like a backward C, called a kyphotic curve. The lumbar spine is made up of five vertebrae, and it curves in like the cervical spine in a lordotic curve. Together, these vertebrae allow you to perform the major movements of the spine.
How many bones are there in the spine?
Structure of the Spine. Your spine is made up of 24 bones called vertebrae. These are divided into three groups: cervical, thoracic and lumbar or your neck, mid-back and low-back. In between each bone is a disc that acts as a cushion called the intervertebral disc. The bones are further connected by small muscles called multifidi ...
What is the spinal column made of?
Your spinal column is made up of vertebrae that allow movement.
How to measure lateral flexion of spine?
Two methods for using a tape measure to examine lateral flexion of the spine have been introduced in the literature, with neither method becoming predominant in clinical use. These two methods include placing marks at the lateral thigh and the fingertip-to-floor method.
How much lumbar flexion is required to put on socks?
Putting on socks required 90% lumbar flexion. Picking up a small object from the floor required almost full lumbar flexion (95%). Therefore, putting on socks and picking up a small object from the floor required almost twice as much lumbar ROM as was required for sit/stand activities.
What is the fingertip to floor method?
FINGERTIP-TO-FLOOR METHOD: In an attempt to examine flexion of the spine quickly and reproducibly, some authors have advocated the fingertip-to-floor method. 3, 6 The fingertip-to-floor method differs from the Schober method and its modifications in that these measurements are not taken directly over the lumbar spine. The patient simply bends forward, and the distance between the tip of the middle finger and the floor is measured with a tape measure ( Fig. 8-8 ).
How many vertebrae are there in the thoracic spine?
Twelve vertebrae (composed of the superior and inferior vertebral facets, the vertebral bodies, and the discs that are interposed between the vertebral bodies) make up the thoracic spine, and five make up the lumbar spine. A typical lumbar vertebra is pictured in Figure 8-1, and a typical thoracic vertebra is pictured in Figure 8-2.
What is segmental motion?
Segmental motion in the thoracic and lumbar spine occurs as the top vertebrae slide onto the bottom vertebrae (arthrokinematic movement), whereby the facet joints of the spinal segment contribute to and guide the motion. Although segmental movements at each vertebra are small, combined movement in the entire thoracic and lumbar spine produces large range of motion (ROM) in the spine. During movement of the thoracic and lumbar spine, the combined movement of all facet joints in the thoracic and lumbar spine (called thoracolumbar movement) or just the lumbar spine is measured because segmental motion is very difficult to measure accurately. Through segmental motion at each vertebra in the thoracic and lumbar spine, osteokinematic movements of flexion and extension occur in the sagittal plane, right and left lateral flexion in the frontal plane, and right and left rotation in the transverse plane.
Which spine is oriented laterally?
This alignment of facets in the thoracic spine promotes the main motions of lateral flexion and rotation. The facet joints of the lumbar spine are formed by combination of the facet surfaces of two vertebrae, which lie in the sagittal plane, with the inferior facet surface of the superior vertebrae (oriented laterally), ...
Which vertebrae are facet joints?
The facet joints of the thoracic spine are formed by the facet surfaces of two vertebrae, which lie in the frontal plane with the inferior facet surface of the superior vertebrae (oriented anterior and slightly inferior) articulating with the superior facet surface of the inferior vertebrae (oriented posterior and slightly superior). This alignment of facets in the thoracic spine promotes the main motions of lateral flexion and rotation.
