Clinical considerations and comparative measures of assessing curvature of the spine

Abstract

Two instruments, an inclinometer and a ftexkurve for surface measurement of spine curvature were compared. No significant correlations were found between sets of measurements using these devices to measure a known curve whose angles of curvature at marked points have been calculated mathematically. However, differences were found between actual values and those measured by each instrument with respect to total discrepancies, and those were in favour oftheflexicurve. Several advantages were noted in using the flexicurve as a measuring device not only for assessing range of motion in limbs. Additional advantages over use of the inclinometer included cheapness, ease of use, better accuracy and better reliability.