Week 2: (In-Lab) Spinal Alignment Research

In today's lab, the focus remained on the physical condition of the walker user that progresses over prolonged improper use. Kyphosis is a serious condition that affects the elderly population, causing a decrease in lower back extension strength as well as a decline in everyday activity levels. This can create the "hunchback" effect that is common in the elderly community.
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003999308015682>

This figure displays the effects of Kyphosis, on the right, of the spinal alignment. <spinesurgery.com>

The walker's main design focus is to correct this improper posture, resulting from Hyper Kyphosis. This diagnosis consists of an extreme case of anterior curvature in the spine which can arise from muscle weakness or degenerative disc disease.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907357/>