Differences between clinical 'snap-shot' and 'real-life' assessments of lumbar spine alignment and motion - What is the 'real' lumbar lordosis of a human being?

摘要

The individual lumbar lordosis and lumbar motion have been identified to play an important role in pathogenesis of low back pain and are essential references for preoperative planning and postoperative evaluation. The clinical "gold-standard" for measuring lumbar lordosis and its motion are radiological "snap-shots" taken while standing and during upper-body flexion and extension. The extent to which these clinically assessed values characterise lumbar alignment and its motion in daily life merits discussion.