Optimized scheme for paired transverse corrective forces in S-shaped scoliosis via ultrasound and application in Chêneau brace: a pilot study

• Published in: Prosthetics and orthotics international Vol. 46; no. 1; p. 42
• Main Authors: Wang, Li, Xia, Nan, Wang, Chun, Zheng, Qian, Ma, Christina Zonghao, Youssef, Ahmed S A, Zhang, Chao, Deng, Youbin, Zhu, Guoli, Huang, Xiaolin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France 01.02.2022
• Subjects: Adolescent; Braces; Humans; Pilot Projects; Scoliosis - diagnostic imaging; Scoliosis - therapy; Thoracic Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 1746-1553
• DOI: 10.1097/PXR.0000000000000064

There is currently no consensus on the optimal positions of the transverse corrective forces (TCFs) for scoliosis braces. This study aimed to explore an optimal scheme of placing paired TCF for S-shaped adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and its feasibility in Chêneau brace (CB) treatment. Cross-over feasibility pilot trial. Ten S-shaped adolescent idiopathic scoliosis participants were invited to receive four tests with different paired TCF positions under ultrasound. The positions of the paired TCF were test 1: thoracic apical vertebra (AV), lumbar AV; test 2: 2 cm inferior to thoracic AV, lumbar AV; test 3: thoracic AV, 2 cm superior to lumbar AV; and test 4: 2 cm inferior to thoracic AV, 2 cm superior to lumbar AV. The test scheme with the highest mean in-force correction rate (IFCR) for the thoracic spinous process angle (SPA) was further applied in the CB fabrication of 4 additional participants. A significant higher mean IFCR of the thoracic SPA of 63.6% was found in test 2 (P < 0.001), which also contributed to its higher overall IFCR of the SPA of 64.6% (P = 0.001). Moreover, the mean in-brace correction rates for the thoracic and overall curves in CB were 46.4% and 51.8%, respectively. No adverse events were reported. Placing paired TCF at the lumbar AV and 2 cm inferior to the thoracic AV achieved better treatment efficacy than other schemes. The practical application of this scheme on the CB was feasible.