Digital models and tools for diagnosing three-dimensional spinal deformity based on stereophotogrammetry data

Abstract

Scoliosis is the most common orthopedic disease in children, which most often leads to disability. An urgent task of the current stage of the development of spinal deformity diagnostics is the search and introduction of new available methods of non-invasive safe diagnosis of spinal deformity at early stages, since existing diagnostic methods can detect spinal column deformity in three planes during the development of scoliosis, however, they have a number of limitations for use, since either X-ray radiation or diagnostic installations are used for their implementation, requiring complex installation in a separate room and training of operating personnel. In this regard, there is an urgent need to develop digital tools for the diagnosis of spinal deformity, which would neutralize these difficulties in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to develop a mathematical algorithm for identifying the deformation of the spinal column in the horizontal plane according to the photogrammetric evaluation of a three-dimensional model of the surface of the human back, which was obtained from the results of the operation of the original software for a personal telecommunications device. The algorithm for assessing spinal column deformity is a sequence of four stages: reposition of the coordinate system, stratification of the spine line into segments, calculation of the rotation of V-segments, separation of the V-segment ratios to the physiological bends of the spine and visualization of spinal deformity in the horizontal plane. The developed algorithm has a number of advantages compared to those developed earlier: it allows to identify the rotation of individual vertebrae and torsion of the spine as a whole, is implemented in relation to all vertebrae of the thoracic and lumbar spine, thereby providing the possibility of differentiated diagnosis of forms of spinal deformity - from posture disorders to scoliosis. The described algorithm is a separate part for modular software that allows diagnostics of spinal column deformity using a personal telecommunication device. This algorithm can be used in a comprehensive assessment of posture disorders and scoliosis, monitoring the dynamics of spinal column deformity in the rehabilitation process.