Lumbar lordosis measurement in standing posture: a literature review

Abstract

Physical therapists must prevent and properly treat postural changes, among which lumbar lordosis increase or decrease. Several methods are used to measure lumbar lordosis angle in standing position. In clinical practice, accurate lordosis measurement, through valid and reliable methods, enable adequate postural evaluation and treatment. The aim of this study was to review articles on the various ways of measuring lumbar lordosis angle in orthostatic posture, both in healthy and altered-posture individuals. The search in data bases and specialised journals led to 44 articles, of which 18 were selected for their assessing inter and/or intratester reliability, or between different measuring techniques or instruments. In reviewed studies main instruments of lumbar lordosis assessment were: visual evaluation by photography, posture classification, scale tool, flexible ruler, goniometer, computer software, and radiography. The value found for the angle of the lumbar lordosis varied between 23º and 66.1º, reflecting different spinal regions measured by each method. Since no measuring method proved both practical and reliable, further research seems necessary in order to establish a form of measuring lumbar lordosis angle to be taught and applied in physical therapy clinical practice.