Correlation of Craniovertebral Angle with Thoracic Kyphosis, Lumbar Lordosis and Pelvic Tilt in Asymptomatic Young Adults

The human spine is a biomechanical masterpiece, enabling bipedalism through unique skeletal alterations and resulting in the “S-shape†spinal curvature. In the last couple of years screen time was increased significantly. Maintaining the same posture for long periods of time is risk factor to change the normal alignment of spine. With technological advances, the use of digital devices such as smartphones, tablets and notebooks has risen dramatically. In addition, the expansion of internet networks and their vast domains of applications has notably augmented the average time spent using these technologies. This has led to musculoskeletal impairments in the neck and shoulder regions.Apart from educational work, adults are also using mobile phones and tablets for their leisure time activities e.g. - novel reading, playing games, digital artworks etc. Young adults are maintaining static posture of cervical flexion for longer period of time during attending lectures, seminars and while doing writing work for writing assignments, notes & during exams. Due to this, there are some compensatory changes which affect cervical spine. It leads to changes in thoracic and lumbar spine as well as pelvis to maintain the spinal balance. Sagittal malalignment plays a respectable role in multiple spinal pathologies and therefore the benefit of analysing sagittal alignment is not only limited to patients having deformity and its equally important in asymptomatic population too.There is paucity of literature regarding midline alignment correlation in asymptomatic young adults. Hence, in this study 50 asymptomatic young adults in the age group of 18-25 will be recruited & their midline alignment will be assessed. For cervical spine craniovertebral angle will be measured by photography method and by using MB-ruler software. For thoracic kyphosis & lumbar lordosis will be assessed using flexicurve and indices will be calculated MB-ruler software. Pelvic tilt will be assessed by self designed pelvic inclinometer. Correlation of craniovertebral angle will be done with thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt. This study will help in the appropriate assessment of all the 3 spinal segments along with pelvic tilt & also in the management of midline malalignment.