The effect of a semi-rigid thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) on foot pressure in elderly subjects presenting with spinal hyperkyphosis

Ebrahim Mousavi, M; Ahmadi Bani, M; Aboutorabi, A; Zare, H; Head, JS; Movahedi Yeghaneh, M; Ahmadi, E

Abstract

Purpose: The ageing process can be accompanied by a degeneration of the spine and increase the risk of thoracic hyperkyphosis (excessive spinal forward curvature) amongst elderly people. This condition can in turn impair mobility, reduce balance, and increase the risk of falling and mortality in affected individuals. The use of corrective orthotic bracing has been shown to improve spinal posture, and increase stability and balance amongst the elderly. However, there is little evidence that evaluates the use of corrective braces on foot pressure changes in these subjects.

Methods: In this study, we evaluated the use of a thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) on 19 subjects over 60 years old who presented with hyperkyphosis. We measured foot pressure using the Pedar-X system before (without brace) and after (with brace) immediate using a TLSO in both static (quite standing) and dynamic (walking on a 5 meters freeway) scenarios.

Results: The results demonstrated that using a TLSO immediately decreases forefoot pressures in stasis, and around the first metatarsal, as well as pressures relating to the second to fifth metatarsals under dynamic conditions. Hindfoot pressures were increased, but not significantly.

Conclusion: This study showed that using a TLSO can be beneficial for elderly people with hyperkyphosis.

Implications for rehabilitation

The ageing process can be accompanied by a degeneration of the spine and increase the risk of thoracic hyperkyphosis.

The use of corrective orthotic bracing has been shown to improve spinal posture, and increase stability and balance amongst the elderly.

Using a TLSO decreases forefoot pressures in stasis, and around the first metatarsal, as well as pressures relating to the second to fifth metatarsals under dynamic conditions.

Citation

Ebrahim Mousavi, M., Ahmadi Bani, M., Aboutorabi, A., Zare, H., Head, J., Movahedi Yeghaneh, M., & Ahmadi, E. (2020). The effect of a semi-rigid thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) on foot pressure in elderly subjects presenting with spinal hyperkyphosis. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 15(2), 205-210. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2018.1555289

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 29, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Jun 17, 2019
• Publication Date: Feb 17, 2020
• Deposit Date: Dec 6, 2019
• Journal: Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
• Print ISSN: 1748-3107
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 205-210
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2018.1555289
• Keywords: Speech and Hearing, Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Biomedical Engineering
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2018.1555289
• Related Public URLs: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/iidt20/current
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** From Crossref via Jisc Publications Router **Journal IDs: pissn 1748-3107; eissn 1748-3115 **History: issued 17-06-2019; published_online 17-06-2019