title: The three dimensional analysis of the Sforzesco brace correction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scoliosis is a three dimensional deformity, and brace correction should be 3D too. There is a lack of knowledge of the effect of braces, particularly in the sagittal and transverse plane. The aim of this study is to analyse the Sforzesco Brace correction, through all the parameters provided by Eos 3D imaging system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Design: This is a cross sectional study from a prospective database started in March 2003. Participants: 16 AIS girls (mean age 14.01) in Sforzesco brace treatment, with EOS x-rays, at start, in brace after 1 month and out of brace after the first 4 months of treatment.Outcome measures: All the parameters and the Torsio-Index obtained from 3D Eos System, in and out of brace, in the three planes.Statistical analysis:the variability of the parameters and the mean differences were analyzed and compared using paired T test. ANOVA was used for multiple comparisons. Critical P value was set at 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the comparison of in-brace vs start of treatment, the mean Cobb angle changed significantly from 36.44 +/- 4 to 28.99 + -3.9° (p= 0.01). Significant changes in all the sagittal parameters were found (p= 0.02). In the axial plane, the Torsio Index changed significantly in-brace for thoracolumbar and lumbar curves (P< 0.05). The analysis of the single vertebral tilt demonstrated that the effect of the brace is mostly concentrated at specific segments: T4-T5, T10-T12, L1 and L5 in the axial plane and T3-T6 and T10-L1 in the frontal plane.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Sforzesco brace mostly modifies the middle of the spine and preserves the sagittal balance. The single vertebral orientation in each plane should be considered together with the typically used values to assess brace effect.
authors: ISICO (Italian Scientific Spine Institute), Milan, Italy.
authors: Sabrina
authors: S
authors: Donzelli
authors: ISICO (Italian Scientific Spine Institute), Milan, Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Zaina
authors: ISICO (Italian Scientific Spine Institute), Milan, Italy.
authors: Monia
authors: M
authors: Lusini
authors: ISICO (Italian Scientific Spine Institute), Milan, Italy.
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Minnella
authors: Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Respizzi
authors: Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Balzarini
authors: Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Poma
authors: University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy ; IRCCS Don Gnocchi, Milan, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Negrini