A review on different methods of scoliosis brace fabrication

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a 3D spinal deformity and mostly affects children in the age group of 10-16 years. Bracing is the most widely recommended nonoperative treatment modality for scoliosis in children. Scoliosis brace fabrication techniques have continuously evolved and currently use traditional plaster casting, computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), or 3D printing. This is a mini narrative literature review. The objective of our study is to conduct a narrative review of traditional, CAD-CAM and 3D printed brace manufacture. A narrative literature review of scoliosis brace manufacturing methods was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane, and other databases with appropriate keywords. Data were also collected from white papers of manufacturing companies. A total of 53 articles on scoliosis bracing manufacture were selected from various sources and subjected to detailed review. The shortlisted papers focused on Chêneau derivatives and Boston braces. Computer-aided design-CAM brace fabrication had similar curve correction compared with traditional plaster-cast braces; however, patient satisfaction may be greater in CAD-CAM braces. Traditional brace fabrication using plaster casting may be uncomfortable to patients. Computer-aided design-CAM and 3D printed braces may enhance comfort by augmenting the breathability and reducing brace weight. 3D printing is the most recently used brace fabrication method. 3D printing enables the manufacture of customized braces that can potentially enhance patient comfort and compliance and curve correction. 3D printing may also ease the bracing experience for patients and enhance the productivity of brace making.