Scoliometer

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Gotze scoliometer

The scoliometer is a device for clinical diagnosis and assessment of trunk asymmetry in scoliosis . The device was first used by H.-G. Götze and described in the literature in 1973.

The examination is carried out on a standing patient in the Adams forward lean test with arms hanging down loosely and knees extended. Slight asymmetries of the trunk can also be seen in this position. The Götze scoliometer is placed on a spinous process with the central measuring probe at the level of the greatest trunk asymmetry and aligned horizontally. A displaceable probe is placed on the convex side on the so-called rib hump, the second on a contralateral point on the opposite side (Fig. 1). Two measured values ​​are obtained, one for the level difference and the second for the distance between the measuring points. The quotient of these two values ​​(difference in height to the entire measurement section) results in an index that essentially corresponds to the pathological rotation of the spine and is therefore referred to as the  rotation index .

In addition to the X-ray image ( Cobb angle ), one has a clinical parameter to assess the severity of a scoliosis, but also to control the therapy, as all treatment measures aim to correct an existing scoliosis by derotating the spine.

Scoliometer (inclinometer)

The scoliometer developed by William P. Bunnell in 1984, as an inclinometer, records the asymmetrical trunk contour in scoliosis patients by measuring an inclination angle to the horizontal. Compared to conventional inclinometers, it is characterized by a recess in the middle, which leaves space for the prominent spinous processes and can thus be placed flat on the patient's back. It has a lightweight construction, making it quick and easy to use for scoliosis screening in schools.

Both devices are of great importance in the clinical follow-up of scoliosis. The increase in trunk asymmetry or vertebral rotation is a sure sign of the progression of scoliosis.

literature

  • H.-G. Götze: The rotation index in idiopathic thoracic colioses . In: Z. Orthop. III (1973), pp. 737-747.
  • H.-G. Götze: Clinic of Scoliosis . In: Orthopädie in Praxis und Klinik , 2nd edition, Volume V / 1 pp. 7.76 - 7.119, Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart - New York 1990.
  • WP Bunnell: An objective criterion for scoliosis screening. In: J. Bone Joint Surg. At the. 1984 Dec; 66 (9): 1381-7.

Web links

Wiktionary: Scoliometer  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations