Case series: 3D printed orthopedic brace combined with traditional manipulative physiotherapy to treat new-onset scoliosis in adults.

Abstract

IntroductionNew-onset scoliosis in adults is different from that in congenital and idiopathic scoliosis. We applied personalized custom 3D printed orthopedic braces combined with traditional manipulative physiotherapy to treat adult patients with new-onset scoliosis and observed the effectiveness of the treatment.Patient concernsNine patients aged 20–52 years presented with unequal height of hips and asymmetrical waist. One shoulder was obviously protruding or enlarged compared to the other; when lying on the bed, the legs were not equal in length, and when bending down, the back was not equal on the left and right.DiagnosisNew-onset scoliosis.InterventionsApplication of individual customized 3D printing brace combined with traditional treatment. Evaluation of clinical efficacy after treatment, including functional exercise test (FMS) before and after treatment, ability of daily living (ADL), visual analog pain score (VAS), and scoliosis angle (Cobb angle).OutcomesThe total effective treatment rate was 100.00% (9/9). The VAS score, Cobb angle of the spine, FMS test, and ADL test were significantly improved compared with those before treatment.ConclusionThe customized 3D printed orthopedic brace combined with traditional techniques to treat scoliosis and innovatively combined human bionic technology with traditional medicine to achieve the continuity and precise correction of scoliosis treatment is a clinically effective technique.