An analysis of sagittal spinal alignment in 100 asymptomatic middle and older aged volunteers

A radiographic evaluation of 100 adult volunteers over age 40 and without a history of significant spinal abnormality was done to determine indices of sagittal spinal alignment. To determine the sagittal contours of the spine in a population of adults older than previously reported in the literature...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Spine (Philadelphia, PA. 1976) PA. 1976), 1995-06, Vol.20 (12), p.1351-1358
Main Authors: GELB, D. E, LENKE, L. G, BRIDWELL, K. H, BLANKE, K, MCENERY, K. W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aging - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Diseases of the osteoarticular system
Diseases of the spine
Female
Humans
Lumbosacral Region
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Radiography
Reference Values
Sex Characteristics
Spine - diagnostic imaging
Thorax
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A radiographic evaluation of 100 adult volunteers over age 40 and without a history of significant spinal abnormality was done to determine indices of sagittal spinal alignment. To determine the sagittal contours of the spine in a population of adults older than previously reported in the literature and to correlate age and overall sagittal balance to other measures of segmental spinal alignment. Previous studies of sagittal alignment have focused on adolescent and young adult populations before the onset of degenerative changes that may affect sagittal alignment. Radiographic measurements were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. Mean sagittal vertical axis fell 3.2 +/- 3.2 cm behind the front of the sacrum. Total lumbar lordosis (T12-S1) averaged -64 degrees +/- 10 degrees. Lordosis increased incrementally with distal progression through the lumbar spine. Lordosis at L5-S1 and the position of the apices of the thoracic and lumbar curves were most closely correlated to sagittal vertical axis. Increasing age correlated to a more forward sagittal vertical axis with loss of distal lumbar lordosis but without an increase in thoracic or thoracolumbar kyphosis. The majority of asymptomatic individuals are able to maintain their sagittal alignment despite advancing age. Loss of distal lumbar lordosis is most responsible for sagittal imbalance in those individuals who do not maintain sagittal alignment. Spinal fusion for deformity should take into account the anticipated loss of lordosis that may occur with age.
ISSN:0362-2436
1528-1159
DOI:10.1097/00007632-199520120-00005