The effects of body fat percentage on inter-vertebral spinal mobility control from hyperextension spinal orthoses

Sa'ed Al Qaroot, B

Abstract

Hyperextension spinal orthoses are common modalities in treating vertebral
fractures. Their objective is to retain the spine in a hyperextended position to
offload the fractured vertebra(e) and allow healing. To date, accurate insight into
the efficiency of hyperextension spinal orthoses is absent. In particular, published
studies have focused on the efficiency of these orthoses in restricting the gross or
inter-vertebral spinal range of motion, rather than on their efficiency in retaining the
spine in a hyperextended position. Also, in the literature, an increase in body-fatpercentage
(obesity) is assumed to reduce spinal orthoses efficiency, although this
has not yet been investigated.
Therefore, this thesis aimed at filling these gaps by conducting an investigation to
measure the efficiency of the two main designs of hyperextension spinal orthoses
(Jewett and CASH) in retaining the spine in a hyperextended position whilst worn
by normal-body-mass and obese participants. This, however, was preceded by
two preliminary studies where: 1) X-ray practices were optimised to produce spinal
image of suitable quality for inter-vertebral mobility measurements from the lowest
possible dose; and 2) different inter-vertebral mobility measurement methods were
tested to identify the one with highest accuracy and reliability (which was the
adjusted superimposition method).
The findings from these two preliminary studies were essential to fulfilling the aim
of this thesis. Specifically, after recruiting two groups of eight healthy participants
each (normal-body-mass and obese), the optimised X-ray practices were used to
acquire six X-ray images of each participant's spine in three conditions (without,
and with Jewett and CASH orthoses). Then, inter-vertebral mobility was measured
using the adjusted superimposition method.
The results showed that, although statistically insignificant (P>0.05), both Jewett
and CASH orthoses demonstrate higher efficiency whilst worn by normal-bodymass
group, and that Jewett orthoses tend to be more efficient than CASH
orthosis in both normal-body-mass and obese groups.

Citation

Sa'ed Al Qaroot, B. The effects of body fat percentage on inter-vertebral spinal mobility control from hyperextension spinal orthoses. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jul 28, 2021
• Additional Information: Funders : Ossur Company;University of Jordan
• Award Date: Jul 1, 2012