Lumbar segmental instability: Manual assessment findings supported by radiological measurement (A case study)

Abstract

Intervertebral instability is a condition which can potentially cause pain in the lumbar spine. This clinical paper considers a case study where a diagnosis of instability was made based on manipulative examination techniques and where this diagnosis was confirmed from lateral functional x-rays. This paper emphasises the importance of the examining therapist being on the look out for joint hypermobility as well as hypomobility in patients presenting with pain of spinal origin.

Keywords: Backache; Lumbosacral region; Physical examination; Radiography.