RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To measure the lumbar segmental range of motion (ROM) with 3-dimensional motion analysis system and compare the results with radiologic ROM measurements. METHOD: Ten healthy adult volunteers were included. We attached surface markers at the corresponding skin surface of each lumbar vertebral bodies and measured lumbar segmental ROM in flexion-extension, right bending, left bending, axial rotation with 3-D motion analysis. We compared some of the results with radiologic segmental ROM measurements. RESULTS: In 3-D motion analysis, segmental ROM of flexion and extension, right bending, left bending, right rotation, left rotation were, respectively: 10.1degrees, 45degrees, 3.5degrees, 1.7degrees and 1.9degrees(L1-L2); 17.9degrees, 6.2degrees, 5.1degrees, 1.4degrees and 1.1degrees (L2-L3); 15.0degrees, 7.2degrees, 4.9degrees, 2.1degrees and 1.1degrees (L3-L4); 14.9degrees, 5.8degrees, 4.6degrees, 1.7degree and 1.6degree (L4-L5); 10.6degrees, 4.9degrees, 3.8degree, 2.6degree and 0.8degree (L5-S1). There was no statistically significant difference in segmental ROM between 3-D motion analysis measurements and radiologic measurements except L5-S1 right bending, L2-L3 and L5-S1 left bending. No statistical significant difference in lumbar flexion and bending ROM was found between two methods. CONCLUSION: 3-D motion analysis is a useful method when measuring the lumbar segmental range of motion and it has an advantage to analyze segmental lumbar motion with three directions simultaneously.