Evaluation of changes in kyphosis angle, apex and quality of life of patients with Scheuermann kyphosis using Kyphologic brace

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Kyphosis treatment aims to prevent curve progression and deformity correction. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term beneficial effects of Kyphologic brace treatments in patients with Scheuermann kyphosis. METHODS: This retrospective case series study was performed on patients with Scheuermann kyphosis treated with a Kyphologic brace from 2013-2020. Demographic data, including age, gender, and duration of treatments, were extracted. Mean kyphosis angles before, one month and 1 year after treatments were collected. Patients were followed for at least 18 months after treatments. The location of kyphosis apex was also noted and classified into the following groups: upper thoracic, mid thoracic, lower thoracic, and thoracolumbar. RESULTS: 48 patients with Scheuermann kyphosis enrolled in the present study. The mean age of the patients was 12.95 ± 1.4 years. The average follow-up time in this study was 23.02 ± 11.8 months. The mean kyphosis angle before treatments was 63.66 ± 9.51°, which decreased significantly after one month (to 43.33 ± 8.7°) and after 1 year (to 37.6 ± 9.4°) of treatments with Kyphologic brace compared to before treatments (P < 0.001). The most common location of kyphosis apex was in mid-thoracic with 77 frequency. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we showed that using a Kyphologic brace was associated with a significant reduction in kyphosis angle in patients. Our results emphasized the effectiveness of this brace in patients with Scheuermann kyphosis.