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Dynamic corset versus three-point brace in the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine: a prospective, comparative study

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Abstract

Background

The three-point orthosis is the most commonly used brace in the conservative treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The Spinomed® dynamic orthosis represents an alternative.

Aims

We compared efficacy and safety of these two types of brace in treating osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Methods

One hundred forty patients, aged 65–93 years, sustaining osteoporotic vertebral fracture were consecutively recruited and divided into two groups, and treated with either three-point orthosis or dynamic corset. Patients were evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale, Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, and measurement of forced expiratory volume in the first second. Regional kyphosis angle, Delmas Index, and height of the fractured vertebral body were also measured on full-spine X-rays. Follow-up intervals were 1, 3, and 6 months after trauma. The complications encountered during the 6-month follow-up were recorded.

Results

At the 3- and 6-month follow-ups, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in pain, disability, and respiration in favor of the dynamic orthosis group. At 6-month follow-up, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in all the radiological parameters between groups. Complications were reported for 28 patients in the three-point orthosis group, and for eight patients in the dynamic corset group (p < 0.05).

Discussion

Biofeedback activation of back muscles is probably a key factor in improving functional outcome with dynamic orthosis.

Conclusions

Compared to three-point orthosis, patients treated with dynamic orthosis had a greater reduction in pain and a greater improvement in quality of life and respiratory function, with equal effectiveness in stabilizing the fracture, and fewer complications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Neuroscience, Section of Orthopedics and Traumatology, “Santa Maria alle Scotte” University Hospital, University of Siena, V.le Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Luigi Meccariello & Paolo Ferrata

  2. Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Neuroscience, Section of Neurosurgery, “Santa Maria alle Scotte” University Hospital, University of Siena, V.le Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Vitaliano F. Muzii

  3. Division of Orthopedics and Traumatology, “G.Rummo” Hospital, Via Pacevecchia, 53, 82100, Benevento, Italy

    Gabriele Falzarano & Antonio Medici

  4. Division of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Department of Emergency and Diagnostics, “Santa Maria alle Scotte” University Hospital, Siena University Hospital, V.le Mario Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Serafino Carta & Mattia Fortina

Authors
  1. Luigi Meccariello
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  2. Vitaliano F. Muzii
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  3. Gabriele Falzarano
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  4. Antonio Medici
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  5. Serafino Carta
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  6. Mattia Fortina
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  7. Paolo Ferrata
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vitaliano F. Muzii.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Human and animal rights

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Meccariello, L., Muzii, V.F., Falzarano, G. et al. Dynamic corset versus three-point brace in the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine: a prospective, comparative study. Aging Clin Exp Res 29, 443–449 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-016-0602-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-016-0602-x

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