Spinal stability is improved by inducing a lumbar lordosis in boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: a pilot study.

The development of scoliosis in boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a significant, morbid event in the progression of the disease caused by progressive spinal musculature weakness. As an alternative to muscle activity, the spine can also be stabilised by locking the articular facet joints, which is achieved when the body is supported on a seat tilted anteriorly using a 'wedge', of the kind commonly recommended for low back pain. We tested spinal stability when using a seat tilted 15 degrees anteriorly in eight boys with DMD, without significant scoliosis, by measuring the ability to support a lateral load applied to the thorax through a sling and hawser.