Interest of the three dimensional analysis in brace treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Prospective study

Objectives

Interest of a 3D reconstruction software to improve analysis of the three dimensional (3D) deformation of spine and results in the conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.

Material and methods

Prospective comparative study in Centre des Massues (Lyon). Study of a group of 10 adolescents aged 10 to 15 for whom a 3D spine analysis was made before and after brace treatment, using Optispine software. The parameters of interest were correction of the Cobb angle, sagittal curves, and plane of maximal deformation (percentage of vertebrae in the plane, rotation, flexion, abduction).

Results

No significative difference was found between the two groups for the correction of frontal, sagittal plane, or for the plane of maximum deformation. Excluding the lumbar scoliosis (with a short brace correction), the results showed a significative difference in the correction of the thoracic kyphosis.

Discussion

The correction of the sagittal plane is an important parameter for the long term outcoming in children with idiopathic scoliosis. Therefore, it would be interesting to use this simple and fast 3D analysis to improve the quality of orthopaedic treatment.

Conclusion

this preliminary study should be continued in a larger population to confirm these results and their implication in clinical practice.