Treatment of an infantile scoliosis using a 3D designed scoliosis brace
Case Background
The 3-year-old female patient presented to the ScoliCare clinic with postural deformity and lateral shifting of her trunk. The deformity had been picked up by the child’s parents who had then consulted with a GP. X-ray imaging ordered by the GP revealed a left thoracolumbar curve measuring 40° and a mild (10°) compensatory right thoracic curve (Figure 1). The GP had made a diagnosis of infantile scoliosis and referred the patient on to an orthopaedic surgeon for an appraisal. After assessing the patient and reviewing the x-rays, the surgeon suggested that bracing would be the most suitable treatment in this case.
In-Brace [Hospital TLSO] posteroanterior x-ray (Right)
The patient was subsequently issued with a rigid brace (thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthosis [TLSO]) that had been designed and fitted by the hospital orthotist. In-brace x-rays taken soon after the TLSO fitting showed a reduction in the size of the primary curve from 40° to 33° (Figure 1). While a reduction in the curve was evident, the parents of the patient had concerns that there was still significant deformity present despite wearing the TLSO. This prompted them to seek a second opinion from the ScoliCare clinic.
Examination Findings
The history and physical examination performed at the ScoliCare clinic aligned with the findings from the previous imaging results. The patient’s trunk was significantly translated to the left during both the postural and gait analyses, without evidence of leg length discrepancy or pelvic anomaly. The primary curve appeared flexible (Figure 2) which was a favourable sign for brace therapy.
Figure 2: Photograph of the patient side-lying
over a traction fulcrum orthotic device
Intervention
A new custom 3D designed scoliosis brace was prescribed for the patient along with some home based stretching and exercises to help with the abnormal trunk shift. The patient was advised to wear the brace full-time (up to 23 hours per day) and perform the rehabilitation exercises on a daily basis.
Outcomes
In-brace x-rays taken at the time of the brace fitting revealed that the deformity could be completely reduced (Figure 3). The patient continued to wear the brace with good self-reported compliance from the parents. Unfortunately, the daily exercises were performed on a more haphazard basis. Bracing treatment continued for approximately 24 months. Several modifications were made to the brace along the way to accommodate the patient’s growth.
posteroanterior x-ray
By the end of the bracing period, the patient’s scoliosis had been reduced from 40° down to 14° out of the brace (Figure 4).At this point in time the patient is still under care, however the recommendation is for the patient to wear a more flexible style brace to maintain the correction achieved with the custom 3D designed brace, and also to further reduce the left postural shift.
Discussion
This case highlights the management of an infantile idiopathic scoliosis (IIS) case using a custom 3D designed scoliosis orthosis. Patients with IIS typically present before the age of 3 years and are classified into two categories – resolving and progressive. Curves in patients with the resolving type tend to reduce spontaneously over time, whereas curves in patients with the progressive type continue to worsen leading to crippling deformity and reduced quality of life if not treated. Casting is typically initiated before the age of two years in these patients as it is more difficult to attain a complete resolution of the deformity if treatment is initiated after this point. After a significant result has been obtained with casting, the patient is usually placed into a rigid brace to stabilise the correction.
There are unique features to this particular case. Thoracolumbar presentations are less common compared to thoracic presentations in IIS patients, and the presence of compensatory curves is also somewhat unusual in this population. In this case, bracing has been used as a first-line management approach versus the more traditional approach involving serial casting. The patient’s initial hospital-made-brace was substandard as evidenced by the small (17.5% reduction) in-brace correction, and had the patient continued with this brace it is likely that the curve would have continued to progress.
At this point in time the evidence to support the use of bracing as a primary treatment in patients with IIS is sparse, however the results observed in this case would suggest that a more comprehensive investigation of ‘over corrective’ 3D bracing is justified.
Conclusion
This case demonstrates the reduction of a severe thoracolumbar scoliosis in a young child using a custom 3D designed scoliosis orthosis.
NB: Results vary from case to case. Our commitment is to recommend the most appropriate treatment based on the patients type and severity of scoliosis.
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