How to Measure Kyphosis

Kyphosis refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine that can cause a bowing or rounding of the back. Potential causes of the condition include degenerative spinal diseases such as arthritis, infections such as tuberculosis, traumatic injury to the spine or osteoporosis. Often, kyphosis visually manifests through a hunched back or slouched posture. To appropriately diagnose kyphosis, your physician will perform a thorough physical examination that may include spinal imaging tests such as an X-ray study or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and measurement of the degree of spinal curvature using the Cobb method or modified version of this technique.

Things You'll Need

• X-ray machine
• X-ray films
• Ruler
• Angle rule

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Instructions

Spinal Imaging and Measurement

• 1

  Obtain radiographic images, or X-rays, of the patient's spine. Have the patient stand upright for the images. For a side view, make sure the patient's arms are held above his shoulders.

• 2

  Determine the upper and lower vertebral bodies that define the curve on the X-ray films. In other words, locate top and bottom of the curve.

• 3

  Draw one straight line extending from the upper portion of the curve and one straight line extending from the lower portion of the curve. Note that these two lines will likely head toward the formation of a V.

• 4

  Draw a perpendicular line through the middle of each of the two existing lines using an angle rule. Note that the perpendicular lines will intersect.

• 5

  Measure the intersecting angle to obtain the degree of spinal curvature, using the angle rule.