Lumbar spinal mobility changes among adults with advancing age

BACKGROUND: Limitations in spinal mobility can interfere with the attainment of important functional skills and activities of daily living and restrictions in spinal mobility are usually the earliest and reliable indicator of diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the differences of lumbar spinal mobility among healthy adults with advancing age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The modified Schober's method was used to measure anterior flexion. The guideline of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons was adapted to measure lateral flexion and extension. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that spinal mobility decreases with advancing age. The most significant (P < 0.05) differences occurred between the two youngest and the two oldest age categories. CONCLUSION: Using these data, we developed normative values of spinal mobility for each sex and age group. This study helps the clinicians to understand and correlate the restrictions of lumbar spinal mobility due to age and differentiate the limitations due to disease.