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Abstract

A non-invasive method and equipment for the evaluation of the flexibility of the spine of a patient and identification of possible mechanical injuries in the lumbar portion of this spine. A string of skin-markers is fixed onto the skin of the back of the patient in the midline of his spine from at least cervical vertebra C.sub.7 down to at least sacral vertebra S.sub.3. Two other skin-markers are fixed onto the skin of the back of the patient in a bilateral and symmetrical manner on the crests of his ilium. The relative positions of all the skin-markers are then monitored and recorded as he flexes forward in this sagittal plane and the so recorded positions are processed to determine the ranges of hip and spine motions in the sagittal plane, which can be compared with each other and with results obtained from a group of 'normal' patients to determine any discrepancy or singularity in the flexibility of the spine. The data obtained may be correlated with other data obtainable by the same equipment to provide a full 3D dynamic motion analysis of trunk, spine, pelvis and inter-segmental movement.

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First Claim