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Abstract
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a 3-D deformity of the spine. The severe cases are surgically corrected: rods are held in place by screws, hooks are attached to vertebrae and a spinal fusion of the instrumented region will provide a long-term stabilization and minimize curve progression. Traditionally, supine side bending radiographies are useful in selection of instrumented levels. Asymmetries in cross-section area, fibre type constitution, function and neural control between concave and convex side back muscles were also observed. Electromyographic (EMG) activity analyzes concurrently with trunk kinematics could improve AIS evaluation. The aim of this master project was to develop an experimental protocol in order to quantify simultaneously spine kinematic behavior and trunk EMG activity throughout a lateral bending test in patients with AIS and surgical indication of their spinal deformity.
This study is based on the data collected from 13 AIS patients and 7 healthy subjects. Kinematic data were obtained by tracking the 3-D positions of 11 to 13 small infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with 3 cameras (Optotrak 3020, Northern Digital Inc., Waterloo, Canada).
The experimental protocol developed seems to be an adequate tool to examine the kinematic behavior of the spine and the trunk EMG activity of patients with musculoskeletal deformities of the trunk. It will make possible a more comprehensive characterization of scoliotic deformity and this might be useful in its assessment and treatment. The developed technique could help the surgeon to better choose the fusion levels. At longer term, the surgical planning could be improved through this assessment technique of patients with scoliotic deformities. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
