Flexion-extension radiographs: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview
Flexion-extension radiographs are X-ray images taken while a person bends forward (flexion) and backward (extension). They are used to see how the spine moves under controlled, real-life positions. They are commonly ordered for the neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar spine). They help clinicians evaluate possible abnormal motion, also called spinal instability.