Cureus 2026 (Mar 25); 18 (3): e105827
Table 1. Objective clinical and functional measurements at baseline and visit 18 of 20.
Objective clinical and functional outcomes were assessed at baseline and again at the eighteenth visit. Functional status was evaluated using the Functional Rating Index (FRI), a validated patient-reported outcome measure that combines elements of the Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire and the Neck Disability Index into a single instrument designed to assess spinal-related disability while reducing administrative burden.
The FRI is scored on a scale from 0 to 40, with lower scores indicating minimal functional impairment and higher scores reflecting greater disability. Previous investigations have demonstrated that the FRI exhibits strong reliability, validity, and responsiveness, supporting its use in both clinical practice and research settings.
Measure Case 1 Baseline
(June 7, 2023)Case 1 Visit 18
(Sept 7, 2023)Case 2 Baseline
(Feb 1, 2024)Case 2 Visit 18
(Apr 4, 2024)Functional Rating Index 19 12 12 7 Height (cm) 166.5 166.5 166.5 166.5 Chest expansion (in) 1.5 3 1 1.75 Cervical Flexion Test (in) 1.5 0 1 0.75 Angle of trunk rotation – dorsal (flexion) Right 7° 0° 0° 0° Angle of trunk rotation – dorsal (flexion) Left 0° 0° 4° 6° Angle of trunk rotation – dorsal lumbar (flexion) Right 0° 0° 0° 1° Angle of trunk rotation – dorsal lumbar (flexion) Left 4° 0° 0° 0° Angle of trunk rotation – lumbar (flexion) Right 7° 9° 10° 0° Angle of trunk rotation – lumbar (flexion) Left 0° 0° 0° 0° Angle of trunk rotation – dorsal (prone) Right 10° 0° 0° 0° Angle of trunk rotation – dorsal (prone) Left 0° 0° 7° 7° Angle of trunk rotation – dorsal lumbar (prone) Right 10° 0° 0° 0° Angle of trunk rotation – dorsal lumbar (prone) Left 0° 0° 1° 1° Angle of trunk rotation – lumbar (prone) Right 15° 9° 21° 21° Angle of trunk rotation – lumbar (prone) Left 0° 0° 0° 0° Balance test (seconds to failure) – Left 15 WNL WNL WNL Balance test (seconds to failure) – Right 0 4 WNL WNL Stork test (seconds to failure) – Left 0 3 3 10 Stork test (seconds to failure) – Right 0 0 7 7 Modified Cox test (degrees) – Left 60 60 45 70 Modified Cox test (degrees) – Right 60 85 70 80