Motion lower Neck Xray 

On a neck Xray in neutral position you want the vertabra to line up with each other in a semi curve. This is optimal to keep the head supported on the neck and to maintain neck stability.

Neutral 

Note that when the head and neck are in a forward position, the vertebra stays stabile and does not move out of place to create unstable neck postures. Which leads to headaches, chronic tight neck muscles, vagus nerve interference that causes fear, anxiety, palpitations in the heart and automatic pain responses.

Flexion

This was a Xray taken in extension notice the distance that is created and spacing between the vertebra creating unstable neck posture leaving the patient with headaches, chronic tight neck muscles and chronic anxiety.

Extension

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Motion upper Neck Xray 

Upper neck Xray taken in a neutral position. Notice the alignment of the two pillars. This shows stability in the upper neck.

The head is tilled to the right. Notice that there is a gap between the pillars. This means weak and unstable ligaments in the upper neck. Symptoms can be headache, tight muscles in neck, vagus nerve interference.

The head tilling to the left side. This also shows the unstable upper neck as the pillar is falling off to the left. To stabilize this shock wave therapy, injections for regenerating connective tissues is best as this will help stabilize the area and keep the symptoms from progressing.

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Motion Lumbar (low Back) Xray 

Neutral

Patient is construction worker and also very active in gym. This is his Xray showing a slipped vertebra at L5. This is called a spondylolisthesis. But is a stable L5 as you can see in the flexion & extension views there is no change in the L5. The goal of low back is to maintain stability. There is no correlation to degenerative low backs and pain.

Foward Flexion 

So a forward flexion in the low back would cause severe muscle contractions and spasms. But due to the Image there is no change in distance with the vertebra. This indicates a stable low back and this patient is not currently in low back pain.

Back Extension 

Back extension usually stabilizes the low back and is the means to help with disc pain. In this case back extension is not shifting the vertebra and shows it to be stable. If there was noted movement in these vertebrae it would indicate a unstable back which would lead to pain and feeling of discomfort with rotation or side bending.

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Motion Knee Xray 

Knee Extension / Flexion 

Knees are dynamic and need to have x-rays taken in a movement pattern. This is a stable knee of a patient with a knee replacement on the other knee. How is it stable? and not needing to be replaced? because the forward translation of knee in flexion matches the same distance as the other replaced knee in flexion. Much of knee replacements are determined by one image that shows bone on bone. Its best to see how the knee functions in flexion and forward translation in order to make a decision on your knees health. 

Knee Translation

Knee translation is the determining factor for knee health and should be the baseline for decisions to be made about the knee care. Knee stabilization is the ultimate goal with knee health and should be known to the patient in order to take proper care of the knee and avoid any aging knee replacements.  

Knee Replacement 

This is the same patient with the knee replacement in flexion and extension x-rays.  Notice the stability of the knee when put into motion. This helps establishes the baseline for what limits of forward translation on the knee are needed for this patient. When establishing a baseline its treatment protocols are used to help stabilize the non-replaced knee. Then prolonging knee health in the non-operated knee is accomplished.