Daniel Becker, DC, MEd, Alan Brewster, DC, Elizabeth Hodges, DC, Matthew Devlin, DC, William Fehl, DC
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ September 4, 2023 ~ Volume 2023 ~ Pages 76-83
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Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare radiographic and visual analysis methods for determining pelvic misalignments.
Materials and Methods: Thirty patients receiving x-rays at a chiropractic college clinic were first visualized to assess for pelvic misalignment and misalignment direction. Subjects were then x-rayed, and those x-rays were evaluated using line analysis specific to the Gonstead system. The researchers performing the visual analysis and line evaluations were blinded to the results of the other practitioners.
Results: Results indicated that when foot flare was the visualized variable, there was 41% agreement with measured pelvic rotation. When gluteal width was assessed, there was 41% agreement with measured pelvic rotation. When gluteal fold heights were visualized to assess for anterior and posterior pelvic misalignment, there was 38% agreement with the measured pelvic misalignment.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that there is low agreement between visualized pelvic misalignment and measured pelvic misalignment when using the Gonstead system for radiographic line analysis.
Key words: Gonstead, line analysis, visual analysis, subluxation assessment, chiropractic technique
