Changes to Rigid Asymmetrical Brace Design after Providing Deformity Measurements from 3D EOS Models in Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis

Medical student, Matthew Bellamy, was awarded 2nd place for the Joint OBB Fund 2023, winning £900 worth of seed funding for research into 3D modelling and idiopathic scoliosis at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The OBB Fund aims to encourage medical students and foundation year doctors to become future leaders in MSK research by delivering seed funding for short clinical or laboratory research projects hosted by universities, hospitals or hospital trusts.

Which aspect of MSK health are you addressing?

The aspect of MSK health that our team aims to address with this research relates to improving current health technologies and pioneering new forms of treatments for patients who are undergoing bracing treatment for idiopathic scoliosis. By utilising digital 3D modelling technology, created from low dose standing x-rays, we can more easily visualise the spine and pelvis in 3-dimensions. This is crucial in ensuring overall effectiveness and the functionality of spinal braces designed within the NHS. By focusing on improving and refining our current spinal bracing strategies with the newest technologies, we aim to improve our treatments and improve quality of life for the patients undergoing intensive and often long programmes. This approach is intended to contribute positively to the overall management and promotion of MSK health especially in children and young adults living with scoliosis.

How does your research aim to address this area?

“Our research aims to address this area by piloting the inclusion of digital three-dimensional spinal modelling provided by EOS imaging to the current NHS brace design process here in Sheffield. We are working with the amazing team behind the NIHR funded BASIS trial to develop the best spinal braces we can. By focusing on the global 3D structure of the whole spine and pelvis, we aim to determine the clinical and financial value of EOS 3D modelling in developing and pioneering new forms of scoliosis treatments.”

How will the funding you receive support you in your research?

“The funding we receive will play a crucial role in supporting our research efforts in several key ways. Firstly, it will enable us to acquire the digital 3D models of the full spine and pelvis. Additionally, the funding will provide the resources needed to distribute and share this work nationally and hopefully internationally. Overall, the support from this funding will be key in advancing our research objectives and ultimately contributing to the current and future management of scoliosis.