The trunk length, lateral deviation and rotation for each subject were calculated using topography values. Throughout the results section, there are five degrees of freedom associated with these data. The mean, standard deviation, standard error and significance level for each parameter are shown in Table 5.1 for the 23 subjects.

Table 5.1  Topography values for the scoliotic curves at the start (initial) and end of brace treatment (n=23 for subjects).

These data were analysed using a paired (dependent) t-test.  There was a significant decrease in lateral deviation and rotation after Chêneau brace treatment.  Also, there was a significant increase in trunk length.

The major and minor curve and torsion angles for each subject were calculated using X-ray values (the Cobb and rotation angles respectively).  The mean, standard deviation, standard error and significance level for each angle are shown in Table 5.2 for the 23 subjects.

Table 5.2  X-ray values for the major and minor scoliotic curves at the start (initial) and end of brace treatment (n=23 for each Cobb and torsion angles)

These data were analysed using a paired (dependent) t-test.  There was a significant decrease in the Cobb and rotation angles after  Chêneau brace treatment.

The percentage of correction was calculated for the subjects X-ray and topography values, also the total mean was calculated for all parameters, (table 5.3).

Table 5.3 The correction percentage of lateral deviation, vertebral rotation, major Cobb angle, minor Cobb angle, major torsion angle and minor torsion angle for all the subjects in this study.

Subjects who presented Cobb angles greater than 30 degrees were compared with those who presented Cobb angles 30 degrees and less.  The results were present as a percentage for each parameters and as a total mean for all parameters, also the significance level was calculated. (table 5.4).

Table 5.4 The correction percentage of  lateral deviation, vertebral rotation, major Cobb angle, minor Cobb angle, major torsion angle and minor torsion angle for subjects who had 30 degrees  Cobb angle or less compared with subjects who had Cobb angles greater than 30 degrees.

The percentage of correction and the significance level were calculated for the subjects who presented a Risser 0 and 1 compared with Risser 2 through 5, (table 5.5). 

Table 5.5 The correction percentage of lateral deviation, vertebral rotation, major Cobb angle, minor Cobb angle, major torsion angle and minor torsion angle for the subjects who had a Risser sign 0 and 1 compared to subjects with a Risser sign 2 through 5.

The correction percentage of the Cobb angle for subjects who wore the Chêneau brace with a cross-correlation of the curve magnitude using Cobb angles less than 30 degrees or 30 degrees and greater with Risser sign 0 and 1 or 2 through 5, (table 5.6).

Table 5.6  The percentage of correction of subjects using the cross-correlation of curve magnitude and Risser sign.

The correction percentage of subjects without previous brace treatment were compared to those with previous brace treatment also their significance level was calculated for each parameter and for all parameters (total) mean, (table 5.7).

Table 5.7 The correction percentage of lateral deviation, vertebral rotation, major Cobb angle, minor Cobb angle, major torsion angle and minor torsion angle for the subjects who had previous brace treatment compared with subjects who were without previous brace treatment.

The percentage of correction and significance level for subjects who presented 3-curve scoliosis compared with 4-curve scoliosis, (table 5.8).

Table 5.8 The correction percentage of lateral deviation, vertebral rotation, major Cobb angle and major torsion angle for the subjects who were classified as 4-curve scoliosis compared with  3-curve scoliosis.  Minor Cobb and torsion angles were not calculated because the 3-curve type only has major curves.  As a result they do not have minor curve angles.

The percentage of correction was calculated for each King type at each parameter and as a total of all parameters, (table 5.9).

Table 5.9 The correction percentage of lateral deviation, vertebral rotation, major Cobb angle and major torsion angle for the subjects who were classified as King type I, King type II, King type III, King type IV, King type V patterns.  Minor Cobb and torsion angles were not calculated because some King-types only have major curves.  As a result they do not have minor curve angles.

TOPOGRAPHY VALUES

Figures 5.1 through 5.3 represent graphs of the descriptive statistics of the topography values using the Formetric system after scoliosis treatment with the Chêneau brace compared with before treatment (n=23).

Figure 5.1  Lateral deviation measured before and after Chêneau brace treatment using the Formetric system.

Figure 5.2  Vertebral rotation measured before and after Chêneau brace treatment using the Formetric system.

Figure 5.3  Trunk length measured before and after Chêneau brace treatment using the Formetric system.

X-RAY VALUES

Figures 5.4 through 5.7 represent graphs of the descriptive statistics of the X-rays using the Cobb and torsion angles measured before and after scoliosis treatment with the Chêneau brace (n=23).

Figure 5.4  The major Cobb angle measured from the X-ray before and after Chêneau brace treatment.

Figure 5.5  The major torsion angle measured from the X-ray before and after Chêneau brace treatment.

Figure 5.6  The minor Cobb angle measured from the X-ray before and after Chêneau brace treatment.

Figure 5.7  The minor torsion angle measured from the X-ray before and after Chêneau brace treatment.