Preliminary wear trial of anisotropic textile brace designed for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common condition that involves the curvature of the lateral spine and rotation of vertebrae often found in adolescents from age 10 to skeletal maturity. There are various kinds of treatments that prevent the natural progression of the spinal curvature, such as bracing and surgery. However, spinal surgery is mainly reserved for patients with severe scoliosis (spinal curvature that exceeds 45 degrees). For those with moderate scoliosis (spinal curvature larger than 21 but less than 40 degrees), bracing treatment is usually recommended as a non-operative treatment. In this study, the anisotropic textile brace (ATB) is designed to help those with moderate AIS to stop any further progression of their curvature. A case study of a female patient with AIS who has participated a 2-hour wear trial with the ATB is reported. The result of her Cobb angle values shown in the in-brace radiograph is compared without wearing a brace so as to evaluate the immediate effects of this treatment with a soft brace. Besides, the in-brace radiograph is also compared with a supine radiograph to determine the effectiveness of the bracing treatment. A positive result is found in that there is an immediate reduction of the spinal curvature.