Goniometer evaluation of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in subjects during growth age: a validity study

Introduction: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the validity of a pocket compass needle goniometer (IncliMed (R), University of Padua) to measure the thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in children and adolescent. Material and methods: In a group of 128 adolescent the same clinician (FC) measured the thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis according to the goniometer technique and the Cobb angle on lateral spinal radiographs. The linear regression analysis and the Bland and Altman criteria were used for the data analysis. Results: A strong concordance existed between radiological and goniometer evaluation of the thoracic kyphosis (linear regression coefficient: b=0.897;p=0.000), but poor concordance existed at the lumbar lordosis evaluation (b=0.526;p=0.000); so we introduced a modification of the original traditional Cobb method of measurement with improved the linear regression coefficient (b=0.820,p=0.000). Conclusions: Our results confirm the clinical utility of goniometer assessment for the quantification of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in children and adolescent.