# Using Surface Topography to Visualize Spinal Motion During Gait—Examples of Possible Applications and All Tools for Open Science

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a method using surface topography to study spinal movement during walking, with tools shared for open science.

## Contribution

A new method combining surface topography and statistical tools to analyze spinal motion during gait is presented.

## Key findings

- Surface topography reveals high inter-individual variability in spinal motion during gait.
- Standardized gait cycles allow for consistent intra- and inter-individual comparisons.
- Tools for analysis and visualization are freely available for replication and validation.

## Abstract

Precise segmental spinal analysis during gait has various implications for clinical use and basic research. Here, we report the use of Surface Topography (ST) to analyze three-dimensional spinal segment movements, in combination with foot pressure measuring, to describe individual vertebral bodies’ motion relative to specific phases of gait. Using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) scripts, single files were merged into one raw data table and were used to generate a standardized gait cycle (SGC) for each measurement, including all measured gait cycles for each individual patient, with a spline function to obtain smooth curve progressions. Graph templates from Statistical Package for the Social Sciences create detailed visualizations of the SGCs. Previously obtained measurements from healthy participants were used to demonstrate possible applications of our method. An impressive inter-individual variability as well as intra-individual consistency of spinal motion is shown. The transformation into an SGC facilitates intra- and inter-individual comparisons for qualitative and quantitative analyses. In future studies, we want to use this method to distinguish between physiologic and pathologic spinal motion. Artificial intelligence-based analysis can facilitate this process. All tools and visualizations used are freely available in repositories to enable the replication and validation of our findings.