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Cervical orthoses. A study comparing their effectiveness in restricting cervical motion in normal subjects
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume
|April 1, 1977
Summary
The halo brace effectively restricted cervical motion more than conventional braces, especially at the atlanto-axial joint. This study offers guidance for selecting spinal orthoses based on desired motion control.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic biomechanics
- Spinal instrumentation
- Clinical assessment
Background:
- Cervical orthoses are crucial for managing spinal injuries and post-operative stabilization.
- Quantifying the efficacy of different cervical braces in limiting motion is essential for clinical decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively compare the effectiveness of five conventional cervical orthoses and a halo brace with a plastic body-vest in restricting cervical spine motion.
- To provide data-driven guidelines for selecting appropriate cervical orthoses.
Main Methods:
- Normal subjects and patients with cervical fractures/fusions were studied.
- Roentgenograms and photographs assessed motion in flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending planes.
- Cervical intervertebral joint motion and combined spinal motion were measured.
Main Results:
- The halo brace restricted 75% of flexion-extension at the atlanto-axial joint.
- The best conventional braces limited only 45% of motion at the same joint.
- Conventional braces showed greater efficacy in the mid and lower cervical spine.
Conclusions:
- The halo brace offers superior motion restriction compared to conventional cervical orthoses, particularly at the upper cervical spine.
- Findings can guide the selection of orthoses for specific motion control needs at different cervical levels.