Cervical Sagittal Range-of-Motion Analysis Using Three Methods

Abstract

Available methods of measurement differ as to whether the cervical spine is isolated or includes upper thoracic motion. Protrusion and retraction can be measured reliably with all three methods studied, but without measurement consistency between devices. Because end-range cervical flexion and extension-cannot occur in isolation from upper thoracic motion, true cervical motion can be measured only with an internally referenced, or landmark-based, methodology such as the 3Space. Even though the cervical range-of-motion device cannot measure isolated cervical flexion and extension, it is nevertheless a reliable clinical tool in measuring flexion and extension as well as protrusion and retraction as long as patient thoracic positioning is standardized to minimize the upper thoracic contribution.