Correlation between the sacral tilt measured with an inclinometer and the pelvic tilt as a tool for assessing the pelvic position.
Oliver Ludwig, Linda Wilhelm, Michael Fröhlich
PMID 38562534WHAT IT FOUND
A quick inclinometer reading on the sacrum correlates with pelvic tilt in young athletes.
This offers a cheap, fast alternative to complex equipment for checking pelvic position, though it measures skin surface, not bone.
Key findings
01External sacral tilt measured by inclinometer showed a significant moderate correlation with external pelvic tilt in men (r=0.395) and a strong correlation in women (r=0.549).
02The study suggests this simple measurement is suitable for therapeutic diagnosis and follow-up because it is inexpensive and quick.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study only included young athletes, so results may not apply to older adults or non-athletes. The inclinometer measures skin surface, not the bone directly, which introduces error due to soft tissue. The sample had far more men than women, and the women were older on average than the men.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the inclinometer reading reflects the exact angle of the sacrum bone. The study measures the skin surface, which can shift, and the correlation with pelvic tilt is moderate in men, meaning it is a screening tool, not a precise diagnostic replacement for imaging.