What is the ROM for lumbar lateral flexion?

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Multiple Choice

What is the ROM for lumbar lateral flexion?

The main idea here is the amount of side-bending the lumbar spine can do. In the lumbar region, lateral flexion is fairly limited because the facet joints and supporting ligaments constrain motion, and the pelvis/hips can take over once a certain amount of bend occurs. Clinically, the typical range for lumbar lateral flexion is about 20–30 degrees, with 25 degrees commonly used as a standard reference. So the option around 25 degrees fits best because it aligns with the usual lumbar ROM value. The other ranges are either too large for the lumbar spine (60–80, 40–70) or too small (0–10) to reflect normal lumbar motion.

The main idea here is the amount of side-bending the lumbar spine can do. In the lumbar region, lateral flexion is fairly limited because the facet joints and supporting ligaments constrain motion, and the pelvis/hips can take over once a certain amount of bend occurs. Clinically, the typical range for lumbar lateral flexion is about 20–30 degrees, with 25 degrees commonly used as a standard reference.

So the option around 25 degrees fits best because it aligns with the usual lumbar ROM value. The other ranges are either too large for the lumbar spine (60–80, 40–70) or too small (0–10) to reflect normal lumbar motion.

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