Exploratory Concurrent Associations between K-Kyphometer and Flexicurve-Derived Kyphosis Measures (Kyphosis Index and Kyphosis Angle): preliminary study

Background

Quantifying thoracic kyphosis is essential in musculoskeletal and rehabilitation practice. Although radiographic Cobb angle is commonly treated as a reference standard, repeated imaging is limited by cost and radiation exposure. Therefore, clinicians frequently use non-radiographic tools such as inclinometers and flexicurve rulers, which have shown acceptable reliability and variable levels of validity in different populations. The objective of this study was examine Pearson correlations between a patented K-Kyphometer (Utility Patent No. 23366) and two flexicurve-derived measures—Kyphosis Index (KI) and Kyphosis Angle (K angle).