What is the normal range for thoracic spine lateral flexion?

What is the normal range for thoracic spine lateral flexion?

• A. 0-20 to 0-40°
• B. 0-50 to 0-60°
• C. 0-10 to 0-20°
• D. 0-5 to 0-15°

Answer: (A)

The movement being tested is how much the thoracic spine can bend to the side (lateral flexion). The thoracic region is limited in this motion because the ribs and facet joints restrict side bending. When you sum motion across the whole thoracic spine, a typical, normal range is about 20 to 40 degrees in total. So from a neutral starting point, you’d expect roughly 0 to 20 degrees on the lower end up to 0 to 40 degrees on the higher end. That’s why the standard normal range is around 20–40 degrees. Motion outside this range would be considered atypical for the thoracic spine.

The movement being tested is how much the thoracic spine can bend to the side (lateral flexion). The thoracic region is limited in this motion because the ribs and facet joints restrict side bending. When you sum motion across the whole thoracic spine, a typical, normal range is about 20 to 40 degrees in total. So from a neutral starting point, you’d expect roughly 0 to 20 degrees on the lower end up to 0 to 40 degrees on the higher end. That’s why the standard normal range is around 20–40 degrees. Motion outside this range would be considered atypical for the thoracic spine.