An orthosis and physiotherapy programme for camptocormia: A prospective case study

Abstract

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. 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. 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. This new orthosis, relying on the principle of thoraco-pelvic anterior distraction, gives excellent results in the treatment of camptocormia.