The sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis plays a crucial role in maintaining body stability and support, ultimately affecting an individual's quality of life [21]. Since the introduction of the concept of pelvic incidence (PI) [22], its functional implications have been linked to various spinal pathologies, most notably spondylolisthesis. It is generally believed that PI is a fixed anatomical parameter that is not influenced by changes in body posture. This can be attributed to two reasons. Firstly, the centers of the acetabula, which are intrinsic radiographic landmarks of the pelvis, correspond to the centers of the bilateral femoral heads. Secondly, the upper endplate of the first sacral vertebra (S1) is connected to the pelvis via the sacroiliac joint, which allows for gliding movement and thus maintains relative stability. As a result, PI is widely regarded as an anatomical parameter [23].
The primary objective in deformity correction is to achieve a balanced spine with an appropriate alignment after osteotomies and fixations. Acquiring a more profound understanding of spinal balance is advantageous for devising surgical plans with enhanced efficacy and reduced complications. Current research on preoperative planning primarily involves surgical correction based on the values of parameters such as Pelvic Incidence (PI), Sacral Slope (SS), and Lumbar Lordosis (LL) [24–26]. The formation of lumbar lordosis and sacral slope is essential for our ability to stand upright. The sacral slope (SS) has a significant impact on the lumbar spine, not only owing to it directly affecting the position of lumbar lordosis and the apex of lordosis [27]. One validated system for categorization of ASD severity is the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)–Schwab Classification System [28]. In the PI system, a mismatch between the Pelvic Incidence (PI) and Lumbar Lordosis (LL) greater than 11 degrees is associated with disability as measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), because patients with a PI-LL mismatch exceeding 11 degrees could experience pain while standing and walking.
A significant interrelation was noted among sagittal parameters of the spine, pelvis, and hip[29]. It is hypothesized that a fixed relationship exists between pelvic incidence (PI) and lumbar lordosis (LL), and maintaining their balance in daily activities necessitates the regulation of sacral slope (SS), indicating the inevitable involvement of the pelvis. Prior literature mainly focused on the compensatory impact of pelvic tilt (PT), with limited efforts to establish the standard pelvic position. However, the position of the pelvis significantly influences overall spinal alignment and even the overall body balance. Whether sagittal changes in lumbar region are due to degeneration or other causes, a mismatch between Pelvic Incidence (PI) and Lumbar Lordosis (LL) can have an impact on both local and global sagittal balance. Surgical intervention does not directly alter Pelvic Tilt (PT). Instead, when Lumbar Lordosis (LL) is harmonized with Pelvic Incidence (PI), the compensatory mechanism becomes unnecessary and PT improves as the hip reverts from terminal extension and the pelvis rotates forward. However, it is challenging to predict the extent to which PT will change following surgery. Sacral Slope (SS) is dependent on the position of the pelvis and is inversely correlated with Pelvic Tilt (PT). Lumbar Lordosis (LL) is the sagittal parameter most amenable to surgical correction. Diebo BG et al [30] believes that the primary goal of adult spinal deformity surgery is often to reduce the mismatch between Pelvic Incidence (PI) and LL to less than 11 degrees. Therefore, when planning a deformity correction surgery, it is important for spine surgeons to evaluate patients’ standing lateral flexion/extension and supine radiographs. In a randomized and prospective study involving 50 healthy and asymptomatic individuals, Place HM et al. [31] presented evidence that challenges the conventional view of pelvic incidence (PI) as a fixed parameter. Their findings indicate the presence of functional motion at the sacroiliac joint and reveal that PI varied with changes in pelvic position among a significant proportion of subjects. These results lend support to the idea that deliberate changes in posture may lead to alterations in PI.
Traditionally, pelvic incidence (PI) and other spinopelvic sagittal parameters have been measured using X-rays taken with the patient standing. However, obtaining a clear sagittal view of the sacral endplate and superimposition of both femoral heads can be challenging. Pelvic rotation may also cause inaccurate sacral endplate localization. Recent studies have shown that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT are more reliable tools for evaluating certain spinal sagittal parameters [32]. And researchers such as Jentzsch et al [33]. and Lee et al [34] have used CT scans to accurately determine spinal sagittal balance values. Vrtovec et al [35] developed a computerized method for measuring PI and found that there were significant differences between PI values measured using CT and those measured using X-ray imaging, which means spinopelvic parameters changed significantly with the change of body position from standing to supine. In our study, no distinct varied finding about PI values vary between standing and supine positions of the same individual were detected, but we find SS, LL, TK, PT, APPA and PSA changed significantly with the change of body position.
Obtaining an accurate value for pelvic parameters can be a challenging task. Another possible explanation for this discrepancy is the presence of pelvic rotation, especially pelvic retroversion [36]. The spinopelvic connection is dynamic, as subjects can easily learn to rotate their pelvis anteriorly or posteriorly on the femoral head while maintaining an erect posture. Therefore, to truly understand the influence of the pelvis on the spinal column, it is necessary to examine spinopelvic parameters in standardized pelvic positions. In cases where malalignment recurs, anterior pelvic rotation and pelvic retroversion may exacerbate moments across the sacroiliac joints. This can result in ligament laxity and an increase in pelvic incidence. The findings of Hayden AM et al [37] demonstrate that it is possible to intentionally alter the position of the pelvis and adjacent spinal column in space. Understanding this relationship is crucial for comprehending sagittal balance and may influence the treatment approach for patients with spinal deformities. Lee KY et al [38] conducted an evaluation to determine whether actual pelvic incidence (PI) measurements are affected by the rotation of the pelvis. Their findings suggest that PI may deviate from their true anatomical values and that computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide more accurate methods for defining pelvic parameters. Jin HM et al [39] investigated the influence of pelvic rotation on the PI, PT, and SS, suggesting that Pelvic incidence (PI) may vary in response to pelvic rotation. To ensure reliable measurements of PI, pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS), the angle of rotation must not exceed 17.5 degrees. In order to obtain accurate and reliable spinopelvic parameters and eliminate the effects of body position and measurement of bilateral femoral heads, Suzuki H et al [40, 41] proposed the use of anatomical sacral slope (a-SS), a pelvic anatomical parameter that does not require the use of the center of the femoral head. It has been shown to strongly correlate with pelvic incidence (PI) during three-dimensional measurements.
With the application of full-length radiography technologies, such as EOS, researchers have recognized the impact of the lower limbs on the pelvis and spine. The pelvis serves as a bridge between the trunk and lower limbs, transmitting mechanical forces through the sacroiliac and hip joints. As such, joint movement of lower extremities can induce pelvic position. However, there exists poor evidence over which demographic features contribute to the development of spinal disorders. The human pelvis is composed of the ilium, ischium, and pubis bones and has a complex and irregular shape, which can make imaging measurements challenging.
To determine whether the pelvis is in a balanced position, some scholars have proposed the pelvic inclination (PI). The angle which the plane of the pelvic inlet makes with the horizontal plane when the patient is standing. To further refine this measurement in the evaluation of sagittal balance, PSA, the angle formed between the line connecting the midpoint of the femoral head and the midpoint of the upper endplate of the sacrum and the horizontal line, was purposed to detect the orientation of pelvis.
PSA is relatively a new angle for evaluating whether the pelvis is in a neutral (balanced) position, because its first intense was to assess the delivery pathway in the birth giving. The degree of pelvic sacral angle stated by Imai N is also nearly usually 60° [42]. Unlike PI or spinal parameters, we found it can reflect whether the pelvis is in a neutral or balanced state, which is a physiological status where the energy consumption of muscles, joints, and ligaments is minimal. When the pelvis is in a neutral position, the actual or anatomical values of SS, PI, and PT can be obtained as a basis for physiological classification or the surgical restoration of spinal alignment. Whether the treatment outcome is better remains to be further verified by mechanics and further clinical practice.
What interests most is that the relation between PSA and APPA. It is hard to acquire actual value of SS in standing position, where pelvic retroversion usually occurs. We measured APPA and PSA in lateral views, as well as other spinal and pelvic parameters, on radiographs of 56 patients when they were in standing and supine position respectively. We noticed that a relatively fixed relationship: 60 = APPA + PSA. The compensation of the spine and lower limbs to the pelvis diminishes in the supine position, and the angle APPA between the front plane of the pelvis and the pelvis is primarily 0 degrees. PSA values are more concentrated at approximately 60 ° This phenomenon, in our study, did not occur by chance. However, the pelvic retroversion occurs in the standing position, and the APPA angle that occurs at this moment is noted as a positive value. At this point, a PSA that is different from and typically lower than the value of the supine posture can be measured. Based on this, we hypothesize that the development of pelvic tilt anteriorly, the pelvis crossing the APP forward, and the increase in PSA may take place. Unfortunately, we failed to include patients with standing anteverted pelvis in our study.
We suggest that the balance parameters, particularly SS, should be carefully referenced to when planning surgery based on the differences in PSA and APPA in various body positions. This can provide theoretical guidance for the reconstruction of the spinal sagittal plane, thereby improving clinical treatment outcomes. Reference to the spine and pelvis parameters in the supine position, a balance state, may obtain better curative effect. Nevertheless, extensive therapeutic and biomechanical examination is essential for verifying the concrete results.
Although the findings of this current study in patients with spinal disorders cannot be directly generate a formula for reconstructing spinal balance, we have found a framework to evaluate and limit pelvic parameters. we noticed that when a subject changes from the standard upright position to the natural and comfortable standing position, the overall degree of kyphosis in the spine becomes larger, consistent with the changes that occur due to aging. By comparing the two postures, we found that in supine position, the pelvis tends to have a more balanced shape, but this result requires a larger sample size and validation in different age and ethnic groups. There are differences in pelvic morphology between different genders, and there are certain shortcomings in this study. Given the necessity for volunteers to undergo imaging examinations in both positions simultaneously, the sample size in this study is limited, and the participants are predominantly young, which could introduce bias. Subsequent investigations will encompass a larger and more diverse cohort to facilitate large-scale or multicenter research. While pelvic sacral angle (PSA) holds significance in assessing pelvic position, its clinical decision-making implications remain insufficient. Additional examination of pelvic compensation is warranted to enhance clinical applicability.