Case reports: orthotic treatment of adult scoliosis patients with chronic back pain

Dino Gallo, Dino Gallo

Abstract

Orthotic treatment of patients with degenerative deformations of the spine is a complex endeavor. It is a great orthopedic technical challenge to effectively reduce the accompanying pain and to help patients regain and keep their mobility. Due to difficult therapies and poor compliance, a surgical intervention to brace the spine is usually the first therapeutic choice. This article presents two cases in which individualized torso orthoses were successfully used to treat patients with degenerative diseases and disorders of the sagittal line as well as three dimensional deformities of the spine. Using torso orthoses allows treatment of these patients with as few invasive measures as possible without losing maximal functionality.

Keywords: Alignment; Body; Chronic back pain; Customized trunk orthoses; Sagittal line; Scoliosis; Spine deformity.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pain intensity of postures in which pain occurred before and during brace treatment.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A questionnaire with at least 13 points according to a numerical rating scale (NRS) that records the patient’s condition before, during and after the trunk orthosis treatment has been prepared for statistical evaluations. The emphases “pain”, “quality of life” as well as “quality of social life” are depicted in the illustration. Despite the complicated fitting with trunk orthoses, an improvement could be brought about in all areas. The area of pain reduction is particularly significant.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Patient with and without the brace. The sagittal profile of the patient is significantly closer to physiological standards.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Basic form of the sBrace trunk orthosis. The biomechanical function can be adapted to individual requirements by customizing the layout.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The biomechanical function of the sBrace L with a design solely aiming to influence the sagittal profile of the spine.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Dorsal view. The individualized sBrace was manufactured with both halves of the pelvis to stabilize the frontal and sagittal areas. The relocation of the pelvis to the left was necessary to make a pain-free posture possible.
Figure 7
Figure 7
The clinical monitoring with Lasar Posture shows a proper physiological condition of the sagittal profile.

References

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Source: PubMed

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