Classification by McKenzie mechanical syndromes: a survey of McKenzie-trained faculty.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this survey was to identify the percentage of patients with spine pain who can be classified by McKenzie-trained faculty as having one of either derangement, dysfunction, or postural syndromes.
METHODS: McKenzie Institute International faculty members in 20 countries, who are highly trained and are experienced users of the classification system, recorded details on 15 consecutively discharged patients.
RESULTS: Responses were received from 57 therapists in 18 countries (89% of potential sample), and details were collected on 607 patients with spine pain. Eighty-three percent were classified in one of the mechanical syndromes; derangement was the most common syndrome. Therapists recorded a mechanical classification in a mean of 82% (SD, 15.1; range, 44%-100%) of their patients with spine pain.
CONCLUSIONS: For this study, the McKenzie mechanical syndromes were commonly diagnosed in a large consecutive group of patients at multiple sites by experienced therapists. This classification system may have valuable clinical use in managing patients with spine pain.