[Reproducibility of surface measurements of the back using the opTRImetric method]

The early detection of scoliosis as well as the supervision of its progress without or with a minimal number of X-rays, is the aim of surface measurements by the opTRImetric method. The device, the method and the measured variables are described. The main aim of the work was the determination of the reproducibility of the measured variables. The variation of the measured variables caused by the stance and measurement method are given. It appears that the use of a balance for equal footloading results in a posture different from the "normal" one, and that the reproducibility of this posture seems even less than of the posture adopted when equiloading of the legs is subjectively attempted.