What do flexion and extension Xrays show?

What do flexion and extension Xrays show?

Flexion-extension x-rays are commonly used clinically to assess stability of the cervical spine, for several medical conditions. Diagnosis and treatment decisions are made, in part, based on the clinician’s assessment of these x-rays.

What is flexion and extension of spine?

To flex is to decrease the angel between parts. Flexing your muscles usually results in bringing the bones attached closer together. For example, the spine is in flexion when we bend forwards. Extension is simply the opposite, increasing the angel between parts, e.g. bending backwards.

What is flexion of lumbar spine?

Flexion is the anatomical name for forward bending. When treating back pain, many spine specialists encourage exercises to strengthen the muscles that act to bring the spine into flexion. In the lower back, approximately 50% of flexion occurs at the hips, and 50% occurs at the lower spine.

What is a flexion MRI?

Flexion and Extension MRI allows the physician to see the patient’s neck not only while it is in a supine position but also while the neck is bent up and down. Many times patients with whiplash or other neck conditions are in greater pain while they are flexing and extending their neck.

What is flexion and extension?

Flexion of the shoulder or hip is movement of the arm or leg forward. Extension is the opposite of flexion, describing a straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts.

What is a flex xray?

In order to replicate the conditions under which there is too much movement in the spine vertebrae, an x-ray can be taken when the patient moves. This is called a flexion-extension x-ray. For the low back, the patient is asked to bend forward and then backwards while x-ray images are taken in both positions.

What is an example of flexion?

Flexion – bending a joint. This occurs when the angle of a joint decreases. For example, the elbow flexes when performing a biceps curl. The knee flexes in preparation for kicking a ball.

What causes back pain with flexion?

Pain with forward flexion is the most common response and usually reflects mechanical causes. If pain is induced by back extension, spinal stenosis should be considered. Unfortunately, the evaluation of spinal range of motion has limited diagnostic use,10 although it may be helpful in planning and monitoring treatment.

Why does flexion cause back pain?

When you back bends, the muscles surrounding the back are stretched and the vertebrae separate slightly. If you add a load to this stretched position, you might aggravating the muscles in the low back. This is the pain you feel. A secondary cause of flexion pain is a weak core.