A Natural-Position X-Ray for Evaluating Cervical Vertebra Physiology Curvature Before and After Conservative Treatment

BACKGROUND: Abnormal physiological curvature is one of the symptoms of early cervical spondylosis. An X-ray taken with the patient standing in a natural position can best reflect the real cervical vertebra physiological curvature. The purpose of this research was to study the value of natural-position X-ray in evaluating cervical vertebra physiology curvature before and after conservative treatment. MATERIAL/METHODS: This study included 135 participants of different ages diagnosed with cervical disease and who received conservative treatment for more than 12 months. The natural- and regular-position X-rays were performed before and after treatment. The positive change of D value in Borden’s measurement and C2~7 Cobb angle should be recognized as an improvement of cervical vertebra physiology curvature. RESULTS: Before treatment, the C2~7 Cobb angle of the regular-position group was larger than that of natural-position group. After treatment, the C2~7 Cobb angle of the natural-position group was larger than that of the regular-position group, and the D value increased after treatment in both groups. The effective rate of cervical physiological curvature of the natural-position group was higher than that of the regular-position group. CONCLUSIONS: Natural-position X-ray has greater accuracy in evaluating cervical vertebra physiology curvature before and after conservative treatment compared with regular-position X-ray.