Lumbar Spine Range Of Motion

Original Editor - Lucinda hampton

Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Kim Jackson and Aminat Abolade  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Assessment of range of motion (ROM) of the lumbar spine is an important part lumbar spine examination. Aberrant spinal motion is associated with faulty spinal mechanics. Motion of the lumbar spine is assessed in all planes including flexion, extension, side bending, and rotation.

Lumbar ROM in 35 healthy men

[1]

Variations ROM Norms[edit | edit source]

Variables affect lumbar range of motion: There are significant differences between the motion characteristics of the normal and LBP populations. However, due to the diverse nature of these populations, there is great variability within the two groups. This limits the clinical usefulness of these measurements.[2]

  1. Flexion (73-40 degrees) declines noted with age.
  2. Lateral flexion (28-14 degrees, L&R) declined with age.
  3. Extension (29-6 degrees) declined the greatest at 79% with age.
  4. No decline in axial rotational (7%) way across the age spectrum. [3]

Sub Heading 3[edit | edit source]

Resources[edit | edit source]

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References[edit | edit source]

  1. Musculoskeletal Key Physical Examination of the Lumbar Spine Available: https://musculoskeletalkey.com/physical-examination-of-the-lumbar-spine/ (acessed 20.11.2022)
  2. McGregor AH, McCarthy D, Dore CJ, Hughes SP. Quantitative assessment of the motion of the lumbar spine in the low back pain population and the effect of different spinal pathologies on this motion. European Spine Journal. 1997 Sep;6(5):308-15.Available;https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3454599/pdf/586_2005_Article_BF01142676.pdf (accessed 20.11.2022)
  3. Troke M, Moore AP, Maillardet FJ, Cheek E. A normative database of lumbar spine ranges of motion. Manual therapy. 2005 Aug 1;10(3):198-206.Available:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16038855/ (accessed 20.11.2022)