Creation and Evaluation of a Severity Classification of Hyperkyphosis and Hypolordosis for Exercise Therapy
David Kaps,
Hannah L. Siebers,
Ulrich Betz,
Daniel Pfirrmann,
Jörg Eschweiler,
Frank Hildebrand,
Marcel Betsch,
Janine Huthwelker,
Claudia Wolf,
Philipp Drees,
Jürgen Konradi
Affiliations
David Kaps
Center for Mental Health, Hospital Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt Hospital, 70374 Stuttgart, Germany
Hannah L. Siebers
Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Ulrich Betz
Institute of Physical Therapy, Prevention and Rehabilitation (IPTPR), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
Daniel Pfirrmann
Institute of Social Science, Media, and Sports, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
Jörg Eschweiler
Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Frank Hildebrand
Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Marcel Betsch
Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen of the University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Janine Huthwelker
Institute of Physical Therapy, Prevention and Rehabilitation (IPTPR), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
Claudia Wolf
Institute of Physical Therapy, Prevention and Rehabilitation (IPTPR), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
Philipp Drees
Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
Jürgen Konradi
Institute of Physical Therapy, Prevention and Rehabilitation (IPTPR), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
The rise in the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders, such as thoracic hyperkyphosis (THK) or lumbar hypolordosis (LHL), is a result of demographic changes. Exercise therapy is an effective approach that can reduce related disabilities and costs. To ensure successful therapy, an individualized exercise program adapted to the severity of the disorder is expedient. Nevertheless, appropriate classification systems are scarce. This project aimed to develop and evaluate a severity classification focused on exercise therapy for patients with THK or LHL. A multilevel severity classification was developed and evaluated by means of an online survey. Reference limits of spinal shape angles were established by data from video rasterstereography of 201 healthy participants. A mean kyphosis angle of 50.03° and an average lordosis angle of 40.72° were calculated as healthy references. The strength of the multilevel classification consisting of the combination of subjective pain and objective spinal shape factors was confirmed by the survey (70% agreement). In particular, the included pain parameters were considered relevant by 78% of the experts. Even though the results of the survey provide important evidence for further analyses and optimization options of the classification system, the current version is still acceptable as therapeutic support.
