The femoro-sacral posterior angle: an anatomical sagittal pelvic parameter usable with dome-shaped sacrum. 2007

Jean Legaye
Orthopaedic Surgery Department, University Hospital Mont-Godinne, 5530 , Yvoir, Belgium. jean.legaye@orto.ucl.ac.be

The sagittal pelvic morphology modulates the individual alignment of the spine. Anatomical angular parameters were described as follows: the "Pelvic Incidence" (PI) and the Jackson's angle "Pelvic Lordosis" (PR-S1). Significant chains of relationships were expressed connecting these angles with pelvic and spinal positional parameters. This allows an individual assessment of the harmony of the sagittal spinal balance. But in case of spondylolysis with high-grade listhesis, the upper plate of the sacrum shows a dome-shaped deformity. The previous anatomical parameters are therefore imprecise. Indeed, the anterior part of the sacrum being inaccurate, an exact assessment of these angles becomes impossible. Therefore, we propose a new angular parameter named "Femoro-Sacral Posterior Angle" (FSPA): the angle between the posterior wall of the first sacral vertebra, always well definite, and the line connecting the posterior part of the sacral plate to the femoral axis. The validation of this parameter was performed and compared with the classical published parameters. It showed good inter-observer reliability, even with dome-shaped sacral plate. In spite of lower correlation with the positional parameters than those observed with PI or PR-S1, the FSPA appeared to be reliable and precise for an exact evaluation of the sagittal spino-pelvic balance is case of spondylo-listhesis with dome-shaped sacral endplate.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008141 Lordosis The anterior concavity in the curvature of the lumbar and cervical spine as viewed from the side. The term usually refers to abnormally increased curvature (hollow back, saddle back, swayback). It does not include lordosis as normal mating posture in certain animals (
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010384 Pelvic Bones Bones that constitute each half of the pelvic girdle in VERTEBRATES, formed by fusion of the ILIUM; ISCHIUM; and PUBIC BONE. Coxal Bone,Hip Bone,Innominate Bones,Bone, Coxal,Bone, Hip,Bone, Innominate,Bone, Pelvic,Bones, Coxal,Bones, Hip,Bones, Innominate,Bones, Pelvic,Coxal Bones,Hip Bones,Innominate Bone,Pelvic Bone
D004856 Postural Balance A POSTURE in which an ideal body mass distribution is achieved. Postural balance provides the body carriage stability and conditions for normal functions in stationary position or in movement, such as sitting, standing, or walking. Postural Control,Posture Balance,Posture Control,Posture Equilibrium,Balance, Postural,Musculoskeletal Equilibrium,Postural Equilibrium,Balance, Posture,Control, Postural,Control, Posture,Equilibrium, Musculoskeletal,Equilibrium, Postural,Equilibrium, Posture,Postural Controls,Posture Balances,Posture Controls,Posture Equilibriums
D005260 Female Females
D005269 Femur The longest and largest bone of the skeleton, it is situated between the hip and the knee. Trochanter,Greater Trochanter,Lesser Trochanter,Femurs,Greater Trochanters,Lesser Trochanters,Trochanter, Greater,Trochanter, Lesser,Trochanters,Trochanters, Greater,Trochanters, Lesser
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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