Cervical and postural strategies for maintaining horizontal gaze in asymptomatic adults

Purpose: To investigate the different cervical strategies for maintaining horizontal gaze in asymptomatic subjects.

Methods: One hundred and forty-four asymptomatic adults filled the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire and underwent full-body biplanar radiographs. Chin brow vertical angle (CBVA) and postural and cervical parameters were measured. Subjects were grouped according to cervical spine curvature (C2-C7 angle): kyphotic (< - 5°), straight [- 5°, 5°], lordotic (> 5°). Demographics, SF-36 component scores and CBVA were compared between groups. All other parameters were compared between groups, while controlling for confounding factors (ANCOVA). A correlation test was conducted between all cervical parameters.

Results: 32% of subjects had kyphotic (- 12° ± 7°), 27% straight (0° ± 3°) and 41% lordotic (12° ± 7°) cervical spines. While demographic and SF-36 data did not differ between groups, CBVA differed between lordotic and kyphotic groups (2° vs. 6.5°, p = 0.002). Sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and thoracic kyphosis (TK) were lower in the kyphotic group (SVA: K = - 26 ± 20 mm vs. L = - 2 ± 21 mm, p < 0.001; TK: K = 40° ± 6° vs. L = 51° ± 8°, p < 0.001). C2 slope (K = 29° ± 6° vs. L = 18° ± 6°, p < 0.001), C0-C2 (K = 42° ± 8° vs. L = 30° ± 8°, p < 0.001) and C1-C2 (K = 33° ± 6° vs. L = 28° ± 6°, p = 0.004) were higher in the kyphotic group. Significant correlations were found between almost all cervical parameters and C2-C7 angle.

Conclusions: Subjects with cervical kyphosis presented with more posterior global alignment and lower TK than subjects with lordosis. In order to maintain horizontal gaze, subjects with cervical kyphosis presented with a more lordotic upper cervical spine than subjects with cervical lordosis. Subjects with straight cervical curvature presented with an intermediate sagittal alignment. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.