A Biomechanical Study of the Charleston Brace for the Treatment of Scoliosis

Abstract

This study quantified the Charleston brace's biomechanical effect, which consists in inverting the asymmetrical compressive loading in the major scoliotic curve. It also highlighted that the Charleston brace worsens the asymmetrical compressive loading in the compensatory curves. The finite element model developed could help studying different brace designs and optimizing brace efficiency.