Topographical Sagittal Profile in 620 Patients Measured By A Novel Handheld Device

Abstract

There is increased understanding on radiographic global sagittal balance in health and in disease but assessment tools of sagittal profile without radiographs has not been well-studied. The authors’ novel handheld device utilizes a gyroscope to measure 3-dimensional topographical parameters of the spine. The sagittal profile of 620 spine patients was assessed in the standing posture. Results showed that 36.3% patients had a forward posture, 55.9% had a neutral posture and 7.7% patients had a backward posture. Hypothesis The topographical sagittal profile of most patients is in a forward posture. Design Cross-sectional study. Introduction The authors created a novel handheld device that produces 3D assessment of the spinal column by capturing topographical changes of the patients’ back. The objective of this study was to utilize this tool to identify sagittal profiles of patients presenting to an orthopaedic specialist clinic. Methods A novel handheld device was used to detect 3D topographical parameters of the back contour in real-time from C7 to L5 in standing position. Consecutive patients who attended the orthopaedic clinic were invited to participate in the study. The sagittal parameters were analysed, and the distance between the “C7 plumb line” and L5 was determined. Utilizing the criteria of sagittal vertical axis, a neutral posture was defined as a distance of 0 to +5cm, forward posture as > +5cm, and backward posture was <0. Results 620 patients who presented to the clinic primarily for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and degenerative spinal conditions participated in the study. Results showed that 36.3% patients had a forward posture, 55.9% had a neutral posture and 7.7% patients had a backward posture.