Preliminary Evaluation of a Computer-Assisted Tool for the Design and Adjustment of Braces in Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract

It is possible to improve the design and adjustment of braces in AIS and to achieve 3-dimensional correction of scoliotic curves with the use of a computer-assisted tool allowing 3-dimensional visualization of the spinal curves and the external shape of the trunk.

Fast 3D reconstruction of the spine from biplanar radiographs using a deformable articulated model

“…plane of maximum deformity [1]) and have been successfully employed for evaluating the effect of different therapeutic approaches (e.g. Boston braces [9] and surgery [10]), predicting the progression of scoliosis [11] and designing more effective braces [12].…”

A Novel Method for the 3-D Reconstruction of Scoliotic Ribs From Frontal and Lateral Radiographs

“…At our clinic, relatively few patients met this specific criterion, considering the fact that this non standard radiograph was required only for a specific research study aiming at evaluating a computerassisted tool for the design and adjustment of braces [50]. Among this cohort of 24 patients, the data of five patients were excluded from the study because their LAT image was incomplete due to poor positioning during the X-ray acquisition.…”

“…Then, from this pool of patients, we considered the data of 13 patients whose radiographs were of satisfactory quality. Surgical candidates were not intentionally excluded from this study, but the patients meeting our inclusion criteria were, according to the protocol of [50], candidate for brace treatment. This explains why the mean Cobb angle observed in our cohort is only 36°.…”

Évaluation tridimensionnelle et optimisation du traitement orthopédique de la scoliose idiopathique adolescente

“…Les différents outils d'évaluation 3D, de caractérisation mécanique et de modélisation biomécanique informatique que nous avons mis au point permettent l'évaluation objective et scientifique des déformations scoliotiques, ce qui permet d'envisager l'amélioration, la rationalisation et l'optimisation de l'efficacité du traitement. Une avenue en cours de validation consiste à utiliser ces outils d'analyse 3D et de caractérisation expérimentale afin d'évaluer en temps réel l'ajustement de corsets et de fournir au médecin ou à l'orthésiste une rétroaction au moment de leur installation [30]. Bien qu'il soit souvent mentionné que l'effet à long terme du corset soit relié à son effet immédiat obtenu lors de sa mise en place initiale [1], il importe de tenir compte de facteurs primordiaux comme le potentiel de croissance résiduel, l'assiduité du port de l'orthèse, etc.…”