The reliability of video fluoroscopy, ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging and radiography for measurements of lumbar spine segmental range of motion in-vivo: A review
Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK | [b] Faculty of Technology, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Eleanor Daniel, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth Gateway Building, St Pauls Lane, Bournemouth BH8 8GP, UK. E-mail: edaniel@bournemouth.ac.uk.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Lower back pain (LBP) is a principal cause of disability worldwide and is associated with a variety of spinal conditions. Individuals presenting with LBP may display changes in spinal motion. Despite this, the ability to measure lumbar segmental range of motion (ROM) non-invasively remains a challenge. OBJECTIVE:To review the reliability of four non-invasive modalities: Video Fluoroscopy (VF), Ultrasound imaging (US), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Radiography used for measuring segmental ROM in the lumbar spine in-vivo. METHODS:The methodological quality of seventeen eligible studies, identified through a systematic literature search, were appraised. RESULTS:The intra-rater reliability for VF is excellent in recumbent and upright positions but errors are larger for intra-rater repeated movements and inter-rater reliability shows larger variation. Excellent results for intra- and inter-rater reliability are seen in US studies and there is good reliability within- and between-day. There is a large degree of heterogeneity in MRI and radiography methodologies but reliable results are seen. CONCLUSIONS:Excellent reliability is seen across all modalities. However, VF and radiography are limited by radiation exposure and MRI is expensive. US offers a non-invasive, risk free method but further research must determine whether it yields truly consistent measurements.
