Document Type : Technical Note
Authors
1 Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) affects 2–4% of adolescents. Therapy for AIS patients depends on curve size and skeletal maturity. The use of braces is one of the treatments recommended for subjects with scoliosis. The aim of this study was to introduce a novel brace design for scoliosis curve correction. The proposed brace consists of two external rigid shells, three adjustable pneumatic rod-based pumps, and two corrective pads. The new brace was designed with forces that decreased scoliotic curves and with low stress on the bone and disc. An adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patient aged 12 years old, who had conservative treatment, was enrolled in the study. 3D scans were taken of the patient to prepare the new brace. In-brace radiographs were taken after the subject wore the brace for 2 hours. The rate of in-brace correction was then calculated.
The patient’s primary curvature was 37° and 26.7° in thoracic and lumbar, with sagittal profiles of 43.72 and 42.02 degrees in thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis. After utilizing the Newbrace, her spines were completely straightened, and her kyphosis and lordosis were 37.51 and 36.8 degrees, respectively. The results of this study demonstrated that the newly designed brace was highly effective in correcting scoliotic curves. Further evaluation of its effectiveness in a larger group of scoliosis patients is strongly recommended.
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