Postural Measure

In Brief…

Important Values

Rib-Pelvic Distance (RPD)

Adapted from two articles by KerrySiminoski MD published in the Spring & Winter 2005 issues of Osteoporosis Update.

In order to measure this:

• stand behind patient (also standing)
• palpate the bottom ribs and iliac crest in the mid-axillary line
• determine the vertical distance between the rib and iliac crest

An RPD of less than 2 finger breadths or 3.6cm suggests the presence of a vertebral fracture ,likely in the lumbar region.

Wall-Occiput Distance (WOD) Adapted from two articles by KerrySiminoski MD published in the Spring & Winter 2005 issues of Osteoporosis Update.

Position the client against the wall such that:

• back against wall and heels are slightly away from the wall
• measure the distance between the wall and occipital prominence

WOD greater than 6 cm is indicative of a vertebral fracture in the thoracic spine.

REEDCO Posture Score

Look at the patient from the side and back view. Give a score (from 0-10) on postural components as outlined on form.

Perfect score would be 100. Reliability: reported to be very good inter-reliability (0.89-0.91)

In subjects aged 18-25¹

FLEXICURVE spinal measurement

The flexicurve ruler is a malleable band of metal, approximately 60 cm long and covered with plastic.

Anatomical reference points for the measurement of thoracic kyphosis using the flexicurve ruler include the midpoint of the C7 spinous process, the apex of the thoracic curve, and the L5-S1 junction.

Research by Lundon et al., (1998) determined that the flexicurve ruler permits qualitative evaluation of postural deviation.