Scolioscan is the world’s first 3D ultrasound-based scoliosis assessment system that produces the real image of the spine by generating a three-dimensional spine model. It utilizes ultrasound technology, and innovative software registers real spine curvatures.

It is an excellent alternative to conventional radiography. Scolioscan is a newly developed system intended for scoliosis evaluation on images of the spine generated by three-dimensional ultrasound projection.
It does not require a darkened room; the light is on during the examination, which makes the patient feel comfortable and secure. Owing to its safety, it can be repeated on multiple occasions during therapy.

–Sandra Trzcińska Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Centre for Children and Adolescents in Chylice Mazowieckie Rehabilitation Centre

About MAZOWIECKIE CENTRUM REHABILITACJI STOCER

MAZOWIECKIE CENTRUM REHABILITACJI STOCER is located in Konstancin-Jeziorna, mazowieckie, Poland and is part of the General Medical and Surgical Hospitals Industry.

MAZOWIECKIE CENTRUM REHABILITACJI STOCER has 961 employees at this location and generates $45.30 million in sales (USD).

There are 2,690 companies in the MAZOWIECKIE CENTRUM REHABILITACJI STOCER SP Z O O corporate. Mazowieckie Rehabilitation Centre STOCER provides specialized rehabilitation and orthopedic services, including treatment on posture defects and lateral curvatures of the spine on children and adolescents.

Their Pain Point and our Solution

The use of innovative diagnostic tools in compensation treatment of scoliosis

Authors:
Sandra Trzcińska , Marta Stachura , Anna Kuśmirek , Zbigniew Nowak
Orthopaedic-Rehabilitation Centre for Children and Adolescents in Chylice – Mazowieckie Rehabilitation Centre “STOCER,” Konstancin–Jeziorna, Poland
Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland

INTRODUCTION

Scoliosis is an umbrella term encompassing a group of disorders that involve a change in the shape and position of the spine. A number of authors underline the three-dimensional nature of scoliosis, particularly in the context of physical therapy.

Idiopathic scoliosis is characterised by: an unknown aetiology, three-dimensional nature, presence in young patients, tendency to become worse during rapid growth of the spine, Cobb angle above 10° and higher prevalence in girls.

Long-term studies on the cause of scoliosis have not yielded expected outcomes, and the aetiology still remains unclear despite various hypotheses. Idiopathic scolioses of an unknown, multifactorial aetiology account for 80–90% of all cases, and the prevalence of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis with the angle over 10° measured in accordance with Cobb’s methodology is 2–3% of the general population.

The symptomatology of scoliosis is diversified. The signs may be divided into three basic groups referred to as level I, II and III symptoms. The first involves changes in the spine and the sacral bone, the second: in the chest and pelvis, and the third: in the distal segments of the musculoskeletal system. In practice, however, the signs involve the presence of deformity taking into account three spatial dimensions.

The management of a child with scoliosis begins at its diagnosis. Treatment (either conservative or surgical) and the selection of physical therapy methods depend on the size of the curve, its location, abilities and age of the child as well as the type of scoliosis. The sooner the deformity is diagnosed, the more rapid the initiation of treatment. That is why the diagnostic work-up is as significant in patient management as therapy.

DIAGNOSIS OF SCOLIOSIS: ILLUSTRATIVE SPINE IMAGING

The monitoring of adverse changes in the structure and posture of the body is a significant element of child health evaluation. Moreover, the availability and development of diagnostic measures and knowledge contribute to objective treatment outcomes.

A scoliometer has become a common diagnostic tool. According to a number of authors, the evaluation of trunk rotation correlates with the Cobb angle measured on a radiograph. That is why trunk asymmetry measurement corresponds with treatment outcomes in children with scoliosis. This measurement can be a valuable supplementation of the clinical examination and may be applied for treatment efficacy evaluation in children with scoliosis.

Nevertheless, the basic method to assess the size of scoliosis is Cobb angle measurement on spine radiography. The appropriate analysis of radiographs involves Cobb angle measurement (the angle of scoliotic curvature of both primary and secondary curves) and evaluation of the Risser sign (assessment of skeletal maturity), classification of scoliosis with regard to the curvature angle, Raimondi rotation (reflecting the degree of vertebral rotation) and classification of scoliosis with regard to its location. However, considering adverse effects of radiation, this examination cannot be freely repeated, which deprives the patient of the possibility of ongoing monitoring.

In the case of scoliosis, spinal deformity develops with tilts in three planes. The three-dimensional nature of this deformity entails a specific type of diagnostic management taking into account more planes than just the coronal plane. The presence of compensatory curves above and below the primary curve requires the parameter values to be monitored at all curve levels. The three-dimensional nature of scoliosis, compensation mechanisms that lead to the development of compensatory curves and restrictions associated with frequent radiographic examinations have prompted the search for more and more advanced devices and manners adequate for the diagnosis of scoliosis. In order to evaluate the initiated therapy and to verify the selected physiotherapeutic programme, various types of non-invasive spine imaging devices have been employed.

One of these devices is an ultrasound-based system for real-time, three-dimensional analysis of movement, called Zebris. As many authors believe, it is useful for evaluation of parameters that define postural disorders. Another modality enabling spatial analysis in combination with movement analysis (markers) is mora projection. However, this test must be conducted in a darkened room. The Medi Mouse device is used for the measurement of curvatures and spine movement range in both sagittal and coronal planes. The size of the device, enabling portability and availability at any place, is its advantage.

Recently, the DIERS device has appeared on the market of medical diagnostic tools. It enables three-dimensional analysis of the spine by combining modern optic techniques and digital data processing. It is fast, touchless and automated.

All of these modern tools are non-invasive, can be used for three-dimensional analysis of the spine and are mostly automated. The more thorough the pre-treatment diagnosis, the more targeted the therapy.

Repetitive examinations performed at any time during treatment (before, during and after therapy) enable adjustment of an appropriate analytical kinesiotherapy programme and its verification in terms of observed outcomes. Also, archiving and comparing outcomes become possible.

All of these modern tools are non-invasive, can be used for three-dimensional analysis of the spine and are mostly automated. The more thorough the pre-treatment diagnosis, the more targeted the therapy. Repetitive examinations performed at any time during treatment (before, during and after therapy) enable adjustment of an appropriate analytical kinesiotherapy programme and its verification in terms of observed outcomes. Also, archiving and comparing outcomes become possible.

A typical feature of all non-invasive devices used for the diagnosis of scolioses is their ability to generate images/projections on the basis of the tested parameters. These images are, however, only illustrative. None of the devices used in Poland for body posture examination shows the real image of the spine, the exception being invasive tests.

EXAMINATION OF SCOLIOSIS: THE REAL IMAGE OF THE SPINE

In 2019, an innovative device for non-invasive examination of the spine, called Scolioscan, was introduced for the first time in Poland in the Orthopaedic-Rehabilitation Centre for Children and Adolescents of Mazowieckie Rehabilitation Centre “STOCER” in Konstancin–Jeziorna, Poland. In the same year, physical therapists were trained and became the pioneers in ultrasound-based scoliosis examination.

Scolioscan is the world’s first 3D ultrasound-based scoliosis assessment system that produces the real image of the spine by generating a three-dimensional spine model. It utilizes ultrasound technology, and innovative software registers real spine curvatures. It is an excellent alternative to conventional radiography.

Scolioscan is a newly developed system intended for scoliosis evaluation on images of the spine generated by three-dimensional ultrasound projection. It does not require a darkened room; the light is on during the examination, which makes the patient feel comfortable and secure. Owing to its safety, it can be repeated on multiple occasions during therapy.

Fig. 1. Examination of a child using Scolioscan.

Material owner Mazowieckie Centrum Rehabilitacji STOCER.

Considering the compensation mechanism and the presence of secondary curves, which either decrease or increase in response to a given physiotherapeutic program, the availability of a device enabling non-invasive evaluation and verification of the undertaken actions makes the therapy more targeted and efficacious.

Thanks to Scolioscan, the selection of analytical kinesiotherapy and orthopaedic instruments (e.g. orthotics) becomes more personalised and oriented to therapeutic success.

REFERENCES
Refer to the article link: www.researchgate.net/publication/340464188_The_use_of_innovative_diagnostic_tools_in_compensation_treatment_of_scoliosis_Scolioscan
Notice: This article is written by users regarding their opinions on scoliosis. This article is not an endorsement.