Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Clinical Efficacy of an Innovative Multidimensional Traction Therapy in Moderate Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Published on: February 10, 2026
Characterizing torso shape deformity in scoliosis using structured splines models
Peter O Ajemba1, Nelson G Durdle, V James Raso
1Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1K7, Canada. peter.ajemba@ge.com
Abstract:
This paper describes a method of characterizing the torso shape deformity associated with scoliosis by both its type and severity. This problem is challenging because regular human torsos show an astounding range of variations that is only compounded by scoliosis, and it is difficult to isolate natural shape variations from those caused by scoliosis. Torso shape characterization is important in the clinical management of scoliosis because torso aesthetics is a key concern that influences a patient's quality of life. Our method involves modeling 3-D torso range images into structured sequences of 3-D spline curves stacked along the spine. We obtain local shape measures from points of maximal curvature (dominant points) along each torso cross section by evaluating the relative symmetry of the spline curve at that cross section. This results in a scalable characterization scheme for torso deformity type and a measure of torso deformity severity. We assess the accuracy and precision of this shape characterization scheme, and its relationship to the actual deformities present in the underlying spine.
Related Concept Videos
Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature
Regions of the Vertebral Column
In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form the...
Deformation of Member under Multiple Loadings
In the case of a member with a variable cross-section, the strain is not constant but depends on the position. The deformation of an...
Deformations in a Symmetric Member in Bending
When the member is segmented into tiny cubic elements, it is observed that the primary stress...
Deformations in a Transverse Cross Section
As the material stretches, it expands or contracts in orthogonal directions to the load. This phenomenon varies...
Bending of Curved Members - Strain Analysis
The important part of bending analysis for such a member is the...
General Structure of a Vertebra
