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Lumbar Sacral Assessment
Equipment:
Precautions:
- Subjects with recent or chronic back pain should be excluded from this test.
Testing Procedure:
The inclinometer is used by gently but firmly pressing the instrument with the thumb, index, middle, ring and little fingers while applying the base with the adjustable legs over the immovable part to be measured. Use the other hand to stabilise the subject, or the proximal component of the joint. This is extremely important to obtain valid and consistent measurements.
Mark the locations of T12 (12th rib) and S1, S2 (Posterior superior iliac spines).
Hold the bubble inclinometer securely over T12 and set the dial to zero by rotating it until the needle indicator points to zero. Readjust the width of the legs if necessary and ensure they are pressed firmly into the interspinal spaces. Recheck the starting zero degrees position and holding the instrument steady, have the subject actively flex at the hip joint whilst maintaining the knee in an extended position. Repeat the active flexion two to three times and record the average flexion measurement.
During this procedure have the subject place their hands over the waist and place your free hand over the subject’s shoulder to offer assistance if they lose their balance.
Repeat the active flexion and record the average flexion at S1, S2.
To obtain true flexion of the lumbar spine, subtract lumbar flexion from S1, S2 (hip and pelvic motion) from the degrees of flexion at the T12 level (total motion of the lumbar spine, hips and pelvic motion).
