2019 Volume 31 Issue 2 Pages 159-165
[Purpose] There is a paucity of high-quality data pertaining to the conservative management of adult spinal deformity, particularly Scheuermann’s kyphosis. Long-term follow-up data for both treated and untreated Scheuermann’s patients is also lacking. Given that changes in sagittal balance are associated with increased morbidity, and that these changes are increasingly prevalent in the spines of ageing populations, it is imperative that potential strategies aimed at reversing or minimizing this type of deformity are explored. As the number of elderly patients in developed countries increases, so does the need for a safe and effective non-surgical management option for patients with spinal deformity/sagittal imbalance. This case study details the influence of ScoliBrace rigid TSLO bracing in combination with a specific rehabilitation program in an adult patient with Kypho-scoliosis. [Participant and Methods] The authors describe a case involving the treatment of a 26-year-old male with Scheuermann’s kyphosis and a lumbar scoliosis. The patient received 12 months of bracing with a supplemental exercise program. The patient was followed for a period of approximately 12 months. Patient progress was assessed using ODI, SRS-22r, NPRS, and radiographic Cobb angle measurements throughout treatment. [Results] The patient presented with an initial ODI score of 18/100, a SRS-22r score of 3.0, and an average NPRS score of 4/10. Initial Cobb angle measurements demonstrated a 79° thoracic kyphosis and a 30° (coronal plane) lumbar scoliosis. At the final assessment, the patient reported an ODI score of 6/100, an SRS-22r score of 3.91, and an average NPRS score of 0/10. The coronal plane Cobb angle measured 63°, and the thoracolumbar scoliosis had reduced to 25°. [Conclusion] The findings from this case study highlight that this type of brace in combination with exercise rehabilitation may be useful for reducing the magnitude of curves and reducing symptoms in patients presenting with adult kypho-scoliosis. Further investigation of this style of treatment is warranted in patients with sagittal plane imbalance.
