title: The flexible Triac-Brace for conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. An alternative treatment option?
abstract: The flexible Triac-Brace was developed to improve cosmetic appearance and wearing comfort. It was evaluated in this study with respect to primary curve correction in idiopathic scoliosis (IS). Twenty patients (15 girls, 5 boys, mean age: 12.5) with a diagnosis of IS were treated with the Triac-Brace. Lumbar curves showed an initial average Cobb angle of 26 degrees (SD = 9 degrees), thoracic curves of 25 degrees (SD = 7 degrees). After 6.2 weeks the primary curve correction was measured (Cobb). Further radiological follow-up was done every 6 months during the average wearing time of 15 months. Cosmesis and wearing comfort were assessed by a valid scoring system (Quality of Life Profile for Spine Deformities). We observed a primary correction of 41% in lumbar curves (n = 12) (significant, t-test), and 10% in thoracic curves (n = 17) (not significant, t-test). An increase in correction over time as reported by Veldhuizen et al was not seen. Curve progression was noted in five patients (average 12 degrees). The scores for cosmesis (4.2/5) and flexibility of the back (4.6/5) were high. Ninety percent of the patients reported a wearing time of 22-23 h. We do not recommend treatment of thoracic or double curves with the Triac-Brace. Larger studies are necessary to assess the effectiveness in lumbar curves. The improved wearing comfort is a potential advantage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Medicine, Halle/Saale, Germany. alexander.zeh@medizin.uni-halle.de
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeh
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Planert
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Klima
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hein
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wohlrab
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001892:Camphanes; D002648:Child; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D001892:Camphanes; C003773:xibornol