Ultrasound topometric measurements of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in school children with normal and insufficient posture

Abstract

The posture of school children was examined in order to establish whether possible differences in clinically normal and insufficient posture can be detected by means of ultrasound topometry. 105 healthy school children (56 female, 49 male) with an average age of 8 years (+/- 0.9) were examined. To classify the children as having sufficient or insufficient posture the Matthiass posture test was used. While the child stood in a relaxed position, the profile of the spine was measured with a topometric digitiser, recording each spinal processus from C7 to L5. 42 children (22 female, 20 male) showed an insufficient posture during the Matthiass test. The topometrically measured angles of kyphosis and lordosis were significantly smaller in these children, corresponding to a clinically greater thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis. No significant differences in the lateral and anterior-posterior trunk deviation, nor in the range of trunk sway in the relaxed standing position could be observed. Using ultrasound topometry, the posture of children with sufficient and insufficient posture can be differentiated by measuring, the angles of kyphosis and lordosis. This quantification could be used for objective monitoring of the posture.