Sagittal Imbalance Of The Spine

Abstract

Sagittal balance reflects a shape of the spine that allows it to keep the standing position with little muscle effort . The shape of the spine is the result of the sum of the shapes of bony elements (the vertebrae) and discs. Bone resists compression and keeps its shape under physiological compressive forces. Normal sagittal spinal balance is a result of mutual articulation of the pelvis and the spine in the sagittal plane (spinopelvic balance ). A normal thoracic spine should exhibit between 20 and 50 of kyphosis while the lumbar spine should be in 30 to 80 of lordosis . The main purpose of these lordotic and kyphotic spine segments is to balance the head over the pelvis in an energy efficient positionP . P0T 0T allowing the C7 plumb line, a vertical line drawn from the center of the C7 vertebral body, to pass within a few millimeters of the posterior superior corner of S1P . P 0T 0TBy convention, positive sagittal balance occurs when the C7 plumb line falls anterior to the posterior-superior corner of the S1 endplate.  Summry 116 Spinal sagittal imbalance ( deformity of the spine in the sagittal plane) is nowadays a major cause of pain and disability among patient presenting to the spine clinic in daily practice. Negative sagittal balance occurs when the C7 plumb line falls posterior to sacral plate of S1P .