An orthosis and physiotherapy programme for camptocormia: a prospective case study.
OBJECTIVE
Camptocormia, or bent spine syndrome, is an acquired postural disease leading to lumbar kyphosis observed when the patient stands up. Classic orthoses and physiotherapy programmes provide little correction and are often poorly tolerated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerance of a new orthosis combined with physiotherapy for treating camptocormia.


METHODS
Fifteen patients (5 men and 10 women, 71.4 (standard deviation (SD) 7.3) years old) consulting for camptocormia were consecutively included in the study. Patients who had pain when they straightened up were excluded. Patients equipped with the orthosis were hospitalized for 5 days in order to learn a self-rehabilitation programme. They were evaluated before and after hospitalization, then at 30 and 90 days.


RESULTS
In comparison with day 0 (without orthosis), the mean increase in lumbar lordosis with the orthosis was 10.1 degrees (SD 9.9) at day 30 (p < 0.05) and 12.5 degrees (SD 9.7) at day 90 (p < 0.001). Average pain values showed a reduction of 69% (SD 36) and 70% (SD 35) in the initial pain at days 30 and 90, respectively. The average increase in quality of life was 87% and 92% at days 30 and 90, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This new orthosis, relying on the principle of thoraco-pelvic anterior distraction, gives excellent results in the treatment of camptocormia.
Service de Médecine Physique et Réadaptation, Hôpital Pellegrin, FR-33076 Bordeaux, France. Mathieu.de-seze@chu-bordeaux.fr
Mathieu-Panchoa
MP
de Sèze
Alexandre
A
Creuzé
Marianne
M
de Sèze
Jean-Michel
JM
Mazaux
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome