FIELD: medicine.SUBSTANCE: invention refers to medicine, namely to radiation diagnostics, X-ray radiography, and can be used for investigation to detect instability of spinal motion segments in the cervical spine. Functional X-ray imaging is performed in the lateral projection in patient's position "standing" with flexion and extension of cervical spine. Functional X-ray imaging is carried out with burdening using weight of 500 grams, fixed on the patient's head. That is followed by X-ray images in the lateral projection with flexion of the cervical spine – an inclination angle of 45 degrees and extension of 15 degrees, determined by means of a protractor. An index of instability P of the spinal motion segments is determined by the mathematical expression P=L1+L2, where P is an instability index, L1 is the maximum length of vertebral displacement when performing functional tests, L2 is the smallest length of vertebral displacement when performing functional tests. When in position of flexion and extension of cervical spine displacement of vertebra occurs only in one direction, then P represents difference of length of displacements. Then, additionally on the roentgenograms, a height change in the anterior and posterior regions of the intervertebral disks of the cervical spine is detected, pathological mobility of the spinal motion segments in the form of displacements of adjacent vertebras, deformation of the anterior wall of the spinal canal at the level of displacement.EFFECT: earlier and objective determination of "latent" instability of spinal motion segments in cervical spine, timely adequate treatment of degenerative-dystrophic process and pain syndrome relief.1 cl, 5 dwg
