![unstable cervical spine flexion x ray unstable cervical spine flexion x ray](https://i2.wp.com/wellnessdoctorrx.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Rheumatoid-Arthritis-of-the-Cervical-Spine-Cover-Image.jpg)
There are authors who have studied it as a separate disease. The index method can describe the cervical spine as a whole and also displays the changes between various vertebral bodies, gives a more specific description about the cervical curvature and range of motion (ROM) and furthermore can compare the differences between each vertebral body (subjacent vertebral bodies).Ĭervical spine degenerative changes are one of the most common causes of cervical instability. It reflects the curvature of the cervical spine as a whole, but when encountering irregular changes in cervical spine curvature, such as a double arc, upper arc and lower straightened or upper straightened and lower arc cervical spine, then this method is not sufficient in such abnormal situations of intervertebral activity. Previous methods described the arc of the cervical spine by the use of the height (D value) of the posterior margin or anterior margin of the cervical spine as well as the angle formed between the lines parallel to the posterior edges or inferior endplates of C2 and C7 vertebral bodies. The application of the index method also provides a new means for efficiently evaluating cervical curvature and flexion-extension range of motion. The diameter of the spinal canal is crucial for the normal function of the spinal cord. Spinal instability often leads to spinal stenosis and the spondylotic changes lead to diffuse and focal axonal changes. The values obtained via the index method are directly used as the result. Moreover, the suspicion about the authenticity of the result, which has been drawn by conversion of the actual value obtained, has also been eliminated and conversion of values is not necessary anymore. The radiographic index analysis method eliminates the interference of the main influencing factors, such as individual vertebral body difference and radiographic magnification variation. It is crucial to accurately determine the posterior edge of the vertebral body without the effects of osteophyte and ligament calcification for measuring the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal otherwise, it will severely affect the results. At the same time, the values in many studies are obtained from the conversion of actual values or magnification values. Different cervical vertebral positions, individual vertebral body variance and different radiographic magnifications result in different X‑ray images, thus producing various measured values. Some authors reported that the horizontal and angular displacements have different standards on neutral view and flexion-extension views. defined spinal instability when the translation motion on sagittal x‑ray was >1.7 mm or >5.7 o change in the intervertebral angular movement. when implementing horizontal beam technique, ensure the distal upper limbs are not overlying the region of interest.There are different perceptions and values for determining spinal instability: cervical instability is considered present if the horizontal displacement of cervical vertebra is more than 2 mm, 3 mm or 3.5 mm (depending on the study) as well as 20% of the sagittal vertebral diameter, or if the angular displacement is more than 10°, 11°, and 12°.Spinal curvature in the AP projection will determine if a right lateral or a left lateral is performed. in the lateral decubitus position, position the patient so that the humeri are extended 90 degrees to the thorax, with the elbows flexed so that the forearms are parallel to the thorax.all imaging of patients with suspected spinal injury must occur in the supine position without moving the patient.ideally, spinal imaging should be taken erect in the setting of non-trauma to give a functional overview of the lumbar spine.These views are specialized projections to provide functional tests 1 of lumbar spine instability, often in the context of spondylolisthesis.