13
The arcometer can be used to measure kyphosis (and
lordosis) in different postures:
- Standing, spontaneous posture (standard posture)
- Standing, arms forward (comparison with X-rays)
- Self-correction while sitting
- Self- correction while prone
- While wearing the brace
NB: being the measurement easy, quick and without any
adverse effect, it can be repeated as many times as
needed.
The instrument comes with table to calculate the Cobb
angle (current
use to integrate the clinical examination.
The values of the Cobb angle are easily obtained crossing
the values of the rise and of the chord given by the
instrumen.
7.7
ARCOMETER USE
DEFINING DORSAL KYPHOSIS
The upper and the
lower limit of
kyphosis are
identified clinically
and made visible
through a
dermographic
pencil
In order to use the measurement for comparisons through
time it is wise to register not only Cobb value but also:
- the chord length
- the end vertebrae of the choosen segment (the kyphotic
curve may not correspond to the entire dorsal segment)
In a curve considered pathological for its location (e.g.
dorso-lumbar), Cobb angle is particularly important for
comparisons through time (more than for its absolute
value).
KYPHOSIS MEASUREMENT IN STANDING SPONTANEOUS
POSTURE
SELF-CORRECTION WHILE SITTING
