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Slight head extension: does it change the sagittal cervical curve?
D E Harrison1, D D Harrison, T J Janik
1Time Domain Corporation, Cummings Research Park, 7 057 Old Madison Pike, Huntsville, Alabama 35806, USA.
Summary
Slight head extension does not reverse cervical kyphosis into lordosis. Radiographic analysis showed minimal changes in cervical spine angles, with most occurring in the upper segments (C1-C4).
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Spine Biomechanics
Background:
- Cervical lordosis is the natural inward curve of the neck.
- A reversed cervical curve (kyphosis) can cause neck pain and stiffness.
- The effect of head position on cervical curve reversal is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if slight head extension can correct cervical kyphosis into lordosis.
- To quantify changes in cervical spine angles during head extension.
- To determine the correlation between head extension and cervical curve correction.
Main Methods:
- Lateral cervical radiographs were taken of 40 subjects with cervical kyphosis.
- Subjects' heads were extended to level the bite line.
- Global and segmental cervical angles (C2-C7) were measured before and after extension.
Main Results:
- Average head extension required was 13.9 degrees.
- Slight head extension did not significantly correlate with lordosis.
- Only one of 40 subjects showed a kyphosis-to-lordosis change.
Conclusions:
- Slight head extension does not reverse cervical kyphosis into lordosis.
- Head extension causes minor angle changes, primarily in the upper cervical spine (C2-C4).
- Clinical implications for treating reversed cervical curves require further investigation.