Clinical considerations and comparative measures of assessing curvature of the spine

Two instruments, an inclinometer and a flexicurve for surface measurement of spine curvature were compared. No significant correlations were found between sets of measurements using these devices to measure a known curve whose angles of curvature at marked points have been calculated mathematically. However, differences were found between actual values and those measured by each instrument with respect to total discrepancies, and those were in favour of the flexicure. Several advantages were noted in using the flexicure as a measuring device not only for assessing range of motion in limbs. Additional advantages over use of the inclinometer included cheapness, ease of use, better accuracy and better reliability.