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Time lag affects impact of spinal orthotics on spinal curvature correction
In a study to assess the response of a scoliotic spine to orthotic intervention, researchers found a definitive time lag between putting on an orthotic and spinal curvature correction.
Nine girls with idiopathic scoliosis were divided into don-orthosis or doff-orthosis groups. The researchers analyzed the patients’ times to maximum correction and returning to pretreatment curvature. Cobb angles were evaluated every 30 minutes for up to 180 minutes with radiation-free clinical ultrasound.
Although no immediate change in Cobb angles occurred, the researchers observed a change of 5° in both groups after only 30 minutes; changes plateaued at or after 120 minutes.
Body mass index (BMI) affected both groups differently, according to the researchers. A patient with the highest BMI took the longest time to achieve curve correction of more than 5° in the don-orthosis group, whereas a patient with the lowest BMI took the longest time increase 5° in the doff-orthosis group.
The researchers concluded that radiographs should not be obtained for patients with scoliosis undergoing orthodic treatment within 2 hours of putting on or taking off spinal orthosis, as maximum effects may not yet have been achieved.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.