IntroductionThe assessment of spinal deformities with rasterstereography can enhance the understanding, as well as can reduce the number of x-rays needed. However, to date this technique only allows measurements under static conditions. Since it would be of great value to be able to also analyze the spine in dynamic conditions, the present study evaluated a novel rasterstereographic system.Materials and MethodsA new rasterstereographic device was evaluated in a comparison with the gold standard in motion analysis, the VICON system. After initial testing using 12 flat infrared markers adhered to a solid plate, the two systems were evaluated with the markers adhered onto the backs of 8 test subjects. Four triangles were defined using the markers, and the sides of each triangle were measured under static and dynamic conditions.ResultsOn the solid plate, the sides of the 4 triangles were measured with a measuring tape and then by the two optical systems. Rasterstereography showed a high accuracy in marker detection on the solid plate. Under dynamic conditions, with the subjects walking on a treadmill, the rasterstereographically-measured side lengths were compared with the lengths measured by the VICON system as an assessment of marker detection. No significant differences (p>0.05) were found between the systems, differing only 0.07–1.1% for all sides of the four triangles with both systems.DiscussionA novel rasterstereographic measurement device that allows surface and spine topography under dynamic conditions was assessed. The accuracy of this system was with one millimeter on a solid plate and during dynamic measurements, to the gold standard for motion detection. The advantage of rasterstereography is that it can be used to determine a three-dimensional surface map and also allows the analysis of the underlying spine.

Under static conditions, LLIs lead to significant changes of the pelvic position and spinal posture. Despite all known age-related changes, no significant differences of the measured pelvic and spinal parameters in elderly patients as a response to the simulated LLIs occurred.

Macromastia can cause various clinical symptoms, such as low back and shoulder pain as well as sacro-iliac disorders. Because of these symptoms, some women consider breast reduction surgery. So far there does not exist a clear correlation between breast size and back pain. Purpose of this study was to evaluate if increasing breast size has a measurable effect on women’s posture using radiation free surface topography.A total of 100 women were grouped according to their breast cup size into four groups (Cup Size: A, B, C, D). All female subjects were measured with a surface topography system, and their spinal posture and pelvic position were analysed accordingly.Our results showed that cup size affects kyphotic angle (p = 0.027) and surface rotation (p = 0.039) significantly. Kyphotic angle increased with cup size. Multiple linear regression analysis, however, revealed that the body mass index has the greatest influence on woman’s posture, showing significant correlation to kyphotic and lordotic angle (p < 0.01), as to trunk (p < 0.01) and pelvic inclination (p = 0.02).This is the first study that evaluates the influence of increasing breast size on posture using surface topography. The results match with previous studies using different measuring techniques. However, the great influence of BMI on posture is also confirmed. Therefore, in clinical practice these factors should be taken into account and be approached. Surface topography seems to be a promising tool to further investigate the influence of breast size on posture.Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.