Schober's test is used primarily to assess flexibility in which condition?

• A. Rheumatoid arthritis
• B. Osteoarthritis
• C. Gout
• D. Ankylosing spondylitis

Answer: (D)

Schober's test measures how much the lower spine can bend forward, giving a simple read on lumbar flexibility. In a normal person, the distance between the marked points should increase by about 5 cm when bending forward. In ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory changes can cause the spine to become less flexible and eventually fuse, so the increase in distance during forward flexion is markedly reduced. That makes this test particularly useful for tracking spinal mobility in ankylosing spondylitis and monitoring disease progression. Other arthritis forms may affect joints, but the hallmark concern with this test is the reduced lumbar flexion seen in ankylosing spondylitis.