Biomechanical effects of thoracolumbosacral orthosis design features on 3D correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a comprehensive multicenter study

Aymeric Guy, Maxence Coulombe , Hubert Labelle , Manuel Rigo , Man Sang Wong, Babak Hassan Beygi, James Wynne, Michael Timothy Hresko, Eric Ebermeyer, Philippe Vedreine, Xue-Cheng Liu, John G Thometz, Benoit Bissonnette, Charlotte Sapaly , Soraya Barchi, Carl-Éric Aubin

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Study Design. Multicenter numerical study. Objective. To biomechanically analyze and compare various passive correction features of braces, designed by several centers with diverse practices, for three-dimensional (3D) correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Summary of Background Data. A wide variety of brace designs exist, but their biomechanical effectiveness is not clearly understood. Many studies have reported brace treatment correction potential with various degrees of control, making the objective comparison of correction mechanisms difficult. A Finite Element Model simulating the immediate in-brace corrective effects has been developed and allows to comprehensively assess the biomechanics of different brace designs. Methods. Expert clinical teams (one orthotist and one orthopedist) from six centers in five countries participated in the study. For six scoliosis cases with different curve types respecting SRS criteria, the teams designed two braces according to their treatment protocol. Finite Element Model simulations were performed to compute immediate in-brace 3D correction and skin-to-brace pressures. All braces were randomized and labeled according to 21 design features derived from Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment proposed descriptors, including positioning of pressure points, orientation of push vectors, and sagittal design. Simulated in brace 3D corrections were compared for each design feature class using ANOVAs and linear regressions (significance P ≤ 0.05). Results. Seventy-two braces were tested, with significant variety in the design approaches. Pressure points at the apical vertebra level corrected the main thoracic curve better than more caudal locations. Braces with ventral support flattened the lumbar lordosis. Lateral and ventral skin-to-brace pressures were correlated with changes in thoracolumbar/lumbar Cobb and lumbar lordosis (r =- 0.53, r = - 0.54). Upper straps positioned above T10 corrected the main thoracic Cobb better than those placed lower. Conclusions. The corrective features of various scoliosis braces were objectively compared in a systematic approach with minimal biases and variability in test parameters, providing a better biomechanical understanding of individual passive mechanisms' contribution to 3D correction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1103-1110
Number of pages8
JournalSpine
Volume47
Issue number15
Early online date11 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2022

Keywords

  • 3D correction
  • adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
  • biomechanics
  • brace design
  • bracing
  • finite element model
  • international
  • multicenter
  • numerical simulation
  • passive correction mechanisms
  • patient-specific
  • thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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