Statistical method for evaluating human thoracolumbar spinal curves in the sagittal plane: a preliminary report
Bethune, D.D.; Broekhoven, L.H.; Kung, E.; Snewing, D.G.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 67(9): 590-594
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9993 PMID: 3767632 Document Number: 270688
This study was conducted to develop a statistical method of analyzing human thoracolumbar curves in the sagittal plane. Spinal tracings were obtained from 30 women by recording directly from the body surface, using a draftsman's flexible rule, transferring curves to graph paper, and making cubic spline and principal component analyses. Results were: (1) an accurate method of analyzing spinal curves; (2) accurate analysis of curves at an average overall residual standard deviation of 0.7mm; (3) component analysis suggesting that this method can be used to establish normal values for specific populations of known age, race, and sex, and to categorize individual curves.