The Effect of Dynamic Hyperextension Brace on Osteoporosis and Hyperkyphosis Reduction in Postmenopausal Osteoporotic Women.

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis and hyperkyphosis could impose a considerable financial and therapeutic burden on the affected society. Thus, new strategies to prevent or manage such complications are of significant importance. Here we evaluate the effect of 'Dynamic Hyperextension Brace' (DHB) on bone density, and hyperkyphosis correction.

METHODS

Sixty postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to the case and control groups and followed for one year. DHB was applied in the case group according to the pre-designed protocol and the patients' clinical and paraclinical parameters, including bone mineral density (BMD), kyphosis angle, osteoporotic fracture, and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were evaluated in two groups.

RESULTS

Despite no significant difference in basic BMD and kyphosis between the case and control groups, BMD and kyphosis were significantly improved in the DHB treated group, at the end of the study (P=0.003 and P=0.001, respectively). Serum ALP level was significantly higher in cases compared to the controls (P=0.48). The vertebral fracture rate was also lower in the case group compared to the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of bracing in osteoporosis and kyphosis management should be more emphasized. However, more detailed and controlled studies with more patients and a longer follow-up period is needed to adequately evaluate the long-term results of braces, including DHB.