OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of 3D printing spinal external fixator combined with McKenzie therapy for patients with lumbar dics herniation (LDH). METHODS: Sixty patients with LDH between January 2022 and January 2023 were enrolled. Among them, 30 patients were given McKinsey training. According to different treatment methods, all patients were divided into McKenzie group and McKenzie + 3D printing group, 30 patients in each group. The McKenzie group provided McKenzie therapy. The McKenzie + 3D printing group were treated with 3D printing spinal external fixation brace on the basis of McKenzie therapy. Patients in both groups were between 25 and 60 years of age and had their first illness. In the McKenzie group, there were 19 males and 11 females, with an average age of (48.57±5.86) years old, and the disease duration was (7.03 ±2.39) months. The McKenzie + 3D printing group, there were 21 males and 9 females, with an average age of (48.80±5.92) years old, and the disease duration was(7.30±2.56) months. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and lumbar spine function was assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. VAS, ODI and JOA scores were compared between two groups before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12 months. The VAS for the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were(6.533±0.860), (5.133±1.008), (3.933±0.868), (2.900±0.759), (2.067±0.640), (1.433±0.504), respectively. In the McKenzie group, the corresponding scores were (6.467±0.860), (5.067±1.048), (4.600±0.968), (3.533±1.008), (2.567±0.728), (1.967±0.809), respectively. The ODI of the McKenzie group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were (41.033±6.810)%, (37.933±6.209)%, (35.467±6.962)%, (27.567±10.081)%, (20.800±7.531)%, (13.533±5.158)%, respectively. For the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group, the corresponding ODI were(38.033±5.605)%, (33.000±6.192)%, (28.767±7.045)%, (22.200±5.517)%, (17.700±4.836)%, (11.900±2.771)%, respectively. The JOA scores of the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were(8.900±2.074), (13.133±2.330), (15.700±3.583), (20.400±3.480), (22.267±3.084), (24.833±2.640), respectively. In the McKenzie group, the corresponding scores were(9.200±2.091), (12.267±2.406), (15.333±3.198), (18.467±2.240), (20.133±2.751), (22.467±2.849), respectively. Before the initiation of treatment, no statistically significant differences were observed in the VAS, ODI, and JOA scores between two groups (P>0.05). At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment, the VAS in the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group was significantly lower than that in the McKenzie group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The comparison of ODI between two groups at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment revealed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). At 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment, the JOA score in the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group was significantly higher than that in the McKenzie-only group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of 3D printed functional spinal external fixation brace with McKenzie therapy can significantly improve and maintain lumbar function in patients with LDH.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; External Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Adult ; Braces ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of high-intensity laser therapy(HILT) combined with targeted hand function training on pain and lateral pinch force in grade 1-2 thumb carpometacarpal(CMC) osteoarthritis(OA). METHODS: From April 2020 and April 2022, 42 female patients with thumb CMC OA grade 1 to 2, aged from 58 to 80 years old with an everage of (68.90±7.58) years old were divided into observation group of 21 patients who received HILT and targeted hand function training for 4 weeks, and 21 patients in control group who received ultrashort wave therapy combined with using of an orthosis for 4 weeks. Visual analogue scale(VAS) was applied to evaluate degree of pain, function of finger was evaluated by dynamometer to measure lateral pinch force at baseline, immediately following intervention at 4 and 12 weeks following intervention. RESULTS: VAS and lateral pinch force at immediately and 12 weeks after intervention betwwen two groups were better than that of before intervention(P<0.05). Compared with control group, the degree of pain in observation group improved more(immediately after intervention t=3.37, P<0.05, 12 weeks after intervention t=9.05, P<0.05), lateral pinch force higher than that of control group (immediately after intervention t=-2.55, P<0.05, 12 weeks after intervention t=9.51, P<0.05). CONCLUSION High-intensity laser therapy combined with targeted hand function training is more effective than traditional methods in improving pain and lateral pinch force in grade 1-2 thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.
Humans ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Thumb ; Laser Therapy ; Braces ; Osteoarthritis/therapy* ; Pain

BACKGROUND: Scoliosis secondary to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) in children aged <10 years is an important etiology of early-onset scoliosis (EOS). This study was performed to investigate the curve evolution of patients with EOS secondary to NF1 undergoing bracing treatment and to analyze high-risk indicators of rapid curve progression. METHODS: Children with EOS due to NF1 who underwent bracing treatment from 2010 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The angle velocity (AV) at each visit was calculated, and patients with rapid curve progression (AV of >10°/year) were identified. The age at modulation and the AV before and after modulation were obtained. Patients with (n = 18) and without rapid curve progression (n = 10) were statistically compared. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients with a mean age of 6.5 ± 1.9 years at the initial visit were reviewed. The mean Cobb angle of the main curve was 41.7° ± 2.4° at the initial visit and increased to 67.1° ± 8.6° during a mean follow-up of 44.1 ± 8.5 months. The overall AV was 6.6° ± 2.4°/year for all patients. At the last follow-up, all patients presented curve progression of >5°, and 20 (71%) patients had progressed by >20°. Rapid curve progression was observed in 18 (64%) patients and was associated with younger age at the initial visit and a higher incidence of modulation change during follow-up (t = 2.868, P = 0.008 and <0.001, respectively). The mean AV was 4.4° ± 1.2°/year before modulation and 11.8° ± 2.7°/year after modulation (t = 11.477, P < 0.010). CONCLUSIONS Curve progression of >10°/year is associated with younger age at the initial visit, and modulation change indicated the occurrence of the rapid curve progression phase.
Braces ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Neurofibromatosis 1/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To study and analyze the clinical effect of the self-developed new adjustable weight-bearing rehabilitation brace in the rehabilitation of the femoral intertrochanteric fracture after the operation of PFNA. METHODS: From July 2015 to June 2017, 62 patients with typeⅡ (Evans-Jensen classification) intertrochanteric fracture of femur were treated with PFNA internal fixation. There were 11 males and 19 females in the routine rehabilitation group, with an average age of (70.73± 6.09) years;17 males and 15 females in the brace rehabilitation group, with an average age of (71.25±6.60) years. Among them, the patients in the routine rehabilitation group recovered according to the routine method, and the patients in the support rehabilitation group used the self-developed new adjustable weight-bearing rehabilitation support of lower limbs to assist the early rehabilitation. The pain intensity(VAS score), weight-bearing of affected limb, clinical healing time of fracture, Harris score and complications were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Nine patients lost their visit half a year later, the other 53 patients were followed up for 9 to 18 months. The VAS score at 1, 3, 6 months after operation of brace rehabilitation group was lower than that of routine rehabilitation group(<0.05). The weight bearing of the limbs in the rehabilitation group was significantly higher than that in the conventional rehabilitation group(<0.05), but the clinical healing time of fracture in the brace rehabilitation group was shorter than that in the routine rehabilitation group(<0.05). In addition, the Harris score of the postoperativebrace rehabilitation group was better than that of the conventional rehabilitation group(<0.05). The incidence of complications was lower than that of the conventional rehabilitation group(=0.048). CONCLUSION In the rehabilitation of Evans Jensen typeⅡintertrochanteric fracture after PFNA internal fixation, the new self-developed adjustable weight-bearing rehabilitation brace can significantly relieve postoperative pain, regulate and moderately increase the stress stimulation at the fracture end, so as to promote fracture healing, accelerate the recovery of hip joint function, reduce the incidence of complications, and its clinical effect is safe and reliable.
Aged ; Bone Nails ; Braces ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Weight-Bearing

Gorham-Stout disease is characterized by massive osteolysis or "vanishing bone" on radiograph. Due to its rarity, no standard Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) management has been published. With this comes the dilemma of managing another case of vanishing right humerus in a 13 year-old male, right handed student, with normal growth and development. To date, this could be the third documented case in the Philippines, but the first with humeral involvement, and the first to manage using a customized humeral brace. The absence of the right humerus affects the bimanual overhead and tabletop activities of the patient, for which a custom-made humeral orthosis was provided to manage the limited activities. There were improvements in activities such as writing, card turning, stacking, and lifting objects of variable weights, as well as with hand dexterity as evidenced by the standardized hand function tests done prior and post brace fitting. Being a rare bone disease with no standard management and unpredictable course, cases are managed symptomatically. For this case of an absent humerus significantly affecting upper extremity function, orthotic management is one aspect that could be recommended to achieve positive functional outcomes.
Braces

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical biomechanical principle of brace with stiletto needle therapy for scoliosis. METHODS: Based on design ideas of teasing needle therapy, building an experimental mechanical model was built, seven specimens with scoliosis were chosen, and treated by brace therapy and then added to stiletto needle therapy. RESULTS: The two experimental mechanical model methods could predict load of scoliosis by stiletto needle therapy, and was verified accuracy and effectiveness of model. The degree of initial scoliosis of 7 patients was (59.7±3.37)°, improved to (49.57±2.79)° by correction of brace, and (39.43±1.94)° by correction of brace with stiletto needle therapy, had significant differences(<0.05). Lateral distraction force of thoracolumbar fossa from scoliosis as V, compressive force of scoliosis as T, brace with stiletto needle therapy could save effort for 45% to 46% than that of brace, while running torque Mw and compressive torque Mv could save effort about 45% to 47%, save effort of tension torque MT of muscle and ligament for 52%, and had statistical difference(<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Experimental biomechanical model of teasing needle therapy confirmed that the therapy could significantly reduce Cobb angle, improve correction efficiency of brace and beneficial for correction effect. It is an effective treatment for scoliosis.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Braces ; Humans ; Needles ; Pressure ; Scoliosis ; Treatment Outcome

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of bracing on spinopelvic rotation and psychosocial parameters in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Complex three-dimensional deformity in AIS is proposed to influence the spinopelvic parameters and psychosocial condition in adolescents; however, few studies have quantitatively evaluated these parameters.METHODS: Thirty AIS who were prescribed a brace were included in the study. The patients’ standing postero-anterior and total spine radiographs were used to measure the primary curve Cobb angle, vertebral rotation, and pelvic rotation. Apical vertebral rotation (AVR), upper AVR, and lower AVR were measured using the Nash-Moe method. Pelvic rotation was determined using the left-to-right hemipelvic width ratio. The curve pattern was classified as per the Lenke classification system. In all, 14 patients had a type I curve, five had type II, six had type III, one had type IV, and four had type V curves. Brace compliance was subjectively evaluated by interviewing the patients and their parents. The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and stress level of the recruited patients were assessed using the Brace Questionnaire and Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire, respectively.RESULTS: The Cobb angle significantly decreased with at least 6 months of brace use. AVR correction changed significantly; however, no such results were observed for upper and lower AVR. Pelvic rotation and psychosocial parameters were not significantly affected by brace use. No statistically significant correlation was observed between brace compliance and curve correction.CONCLUSIONS: The Cobb angle and AVR are crucial measurements that help evaluate the treatment efficacy in AIS with small curves who undergo brace treatment. HRQOL and pelvic axial rotation are not influenced by the brace treatment.
Adolescent ; Braces ; Classification ; Compliance ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Methods ; Parents ; Pelvis ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; Spine ; Treatment Outcome

STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study.PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the potential differences between the objective and subjective bracing compliances of adolescents with Scheuermann’s kyphosis.OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Bracing is a well-documented intervention for managing adolescents with progressive thoracic Scheuermann’s kyphosis, and the brace should be worn 23 hours every day. Most research studies that have investigated the efficacy of bracing have assumed that the patients wore the braces as advised or that the bracing time was measured subjectively. This may be one of the reasons for the conflicting reports regarding the efficacy of bracing.METHODS: Nineteen volunteers (11 girls and 7 boys, 12.89±1.77 years) who were prescribed Milwaukee braces for Scheuermann’s kyphosis were enrolled. Each brace was equipped with a miniature temperature logger to record the actual brace wearing time over a period of 3 weeks. The patients and their families were unaware of the mounted sensor. Each participants and/or parent was provided with a questionnaire to record the number of hours for which the brace was worn each day. In addition, the therapist asked each patient and/or his/her parent about the average number of hours that the brace was worn.RESULTS: The compliance rates measured using the temperature logger (16.00±4.90 hours daily) were significantly lower than those reported in the questionnaires (19.52±6.04 hours daily, p<0.001) and the verbal responses (20.21±6.05 hours daily, p<0.001). Moreover, there was no correlation of age, sex, and body mass index with brace compliance.CONCLUSIONS: The braces were worn less often than reported by the patients and/or their parents. Therefore, objective compliance assessments of adolescents with Scheuermann’s kyphosis in a brace are recommended for future studies.
Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Braces ; Cohort Studies ; Compliance ; Female ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Parents ; Prospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; Volunteers

The paper aims to provide a state-of-the-art review of methods for evaluating the effectiveness and effect of unloader knee braces on the knee joint and discuss their limitations and future directions. Unloader braces are prescribed as a non-pharmacological conservative treatment option for patients with medial knee osteoarthritis to provide relief in terms of pain reduction, returning to regular physical activities, and enhancing the quality of life. Methods used to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of these devices on patients' health are categorized into three broad categories (perception-, biochemical-, and morphology-based), depending upon the process and tools used. The main focus of these methods is on the short-term clinical outcome (pain or unloading efficiency). There is a significant technical, research, and clinical literature gap in understanding the short- and long-term consequences of these braces on the tissues in the knee joint, including the cartilage and ligaments. Future research directions may complement existing methods with advanced quantitative imaging (morphological, biochemical, and molecular) and numerical simulation are discussed as they offer potential in assessing long-term and post-bracing effects on the knee joint.
Braces ; Cartilage ; Complement System Proteins ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee Joint ; Knee ; Ligaments ; Methods ; Motor Activity ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Quality of Life ; Review Literature as Topic

STUDY DESIGN: Case report.OBJECTIVES: We report a case of 3-column fracture caused by low-energy trauma in a patient with Baastrup disease who complained of acute radiating pain and motor weakness in the lower limbs after 3 weeks of conservative treatment. Subsequently, posterior fusion surgery was performed.SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Baastrup disease is characterized by enlargement and close approximation of adjacent spinous processes, and it mostly affects the L4-5 level of the spine. In patients with Baastrup disease affecting multiple levels of the lumbar spine, low-energy trauma can cause an unstable 3-column fracture with neurological compromise. Early recognition and surgical treatment prior to the emergence of a neurological deficit are required.MATERIALS AND METHODS: An 84-year-old woman presented with back pain after falling down backward and colliding with the edge of a shelf at ground level. Considering the patient's general condition and age, she was initially treated with close observation and placement of a spinal brace with serial radiographic follow-up.RESULTS: Computed tomography found 3-column fracture at the T11 level, which is quite rare in cases of minor trauma. At a 3-week follow-up, she complained of gradual lower extremity weakness, and her general lower extremity motor function decreased to grade 1–2. The patient underwent posterior fusion 2 levels above and below the affected vertebral body (T9-10-12-L1). Surgery was uneventful and the patient's motor function recovered.CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Baastrup disease affecting multiple levels of the lumbar spine, based on our experience, low-energy trauma can cause an unstable 3-column fracture with neurological compromise. We highly recommend scrutiny of the interspinous space in elderly patients, especially those with a spinal fracture caused by low-energy trauma.
Accidental Falls ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Back Pain ; Braces ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Spinal Fractures ; Spine