Interface corrective force measurements in Boston brace treatment

Brief review

*Title: Interface corrective force measurements in Boston brace treatment

Boston보조기 치료에서 정확한 힘의 측정 인터페이스

*Author: J. van den Hout, L. van Rhijn, R. van den Munckhof, A. van Ooy

*Bibliography: EuropeanSpine Journal August 2002, Volume 11, Issue 4, pp 332-335

Background:

Brace application has been reported to be effective in treating idiopathic adolescent scoliosis.

Problem:

The exact working mechanism of a thoracolumbo spinal orthosis is not completely understood.

In this article, working mechanisms is a direct compressive force working through the brace upon the body and thereby correcting the scoliotic deformity, achieving optimal fit of the individual orthosis.

Purpose:

Measured these direct forces exerted by the pads in a Boston brace.

Method:

▶Subject number: 16 patients (with idiopathic adolescent scoliosis)

▶Measurement method: using the electronic PEDAR measuring device (Novel, Munich, Germany).

(Designed as an inshoe measuring system. wired to a computer, recording static and dynamic pressure distribution under the plantar surface of the foot.)

-After positioning the inserts between the lumbar and thoracic pads and the body, measured the forces acting upon the body in 8 different postures.

Result:

-Mean corrective force (through the brace pad): lumbar > thoracic (in all positions)

-Changes in body posture: significant alterations in the exerted forces.

-Between the magnitude of the compressive force over the lumbar and thoracic brace-pad and the degree of correction of the major curve: no significant correlation

-Corrective forces in new (<6 months) and old (>6 months) brace: no statistically difference.

Conclusion:

-The use of this pressure measurement device is practicable and of value for studies of the working mechanism of brace treatment.

-In the future, it might be of help in achieving optimal fit of the individual orthosis.