Professional
Technical
IVT
sagittal balance
Alignment of the spine in the side-view plane, critical for efficient posture and gait.
Full Definition
The alignment of the spine when viewed from the side (sagittal plane), representing the relationship between spinal curvatures and overall posture. Normal sagittal balance allows the head to be positioned over the pelvis with minimal muscular effort. It is measured using parameters such as sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic incidence, and lumbar lordosis. Poor sagittal balance can result from spinal deformity, degenerative changes, or iatrogenic flat-back syndrome, leading to pain, disability, and compensatory mechanisms.
Usage
Usage note: Central concept in adult spinal deformity surgery and increasingly important in routine spine care.
In Context
- "Restoration of sagittal balance was the primary goal of the deformity correction surgery." — Surgical planning note
- "The patient exhibited positive sagittal balance with forward trunk lean and compensatory mechanisms." — Clinical examination
Also known as
sagittal alignment
Contrasted with
sagittal imbalance
Don't confuse with
coronal balance
spinal alignment