Abstract

Brace Description: The new CAD / CAM Chêneau derivate was initially designed in March 2009 and is now available in its 2nd. 2011 improved version. This CAD / CAM Chêneau derivate has been called Gensingen braceTM, a brace available to address all possible curve patterns. Once the patients’ trunk is scanned with the help of a whole trunk optical 3D-scan and the patients’ data from the clinical measurements are recorded, a model of the brace can be created by (1) modifying the trunk model of the patient ‘on screen’ to achieve a very individual brace model using the CAD / CAM tools provided or by (2) choosing a brace model from our library and re-size it to the patients’ properties ‘on screen’. After all necessary corrections and modifications have been made ‘on screen,’ the corrected virtual model is milled from a foam block in order to gain a real model, which can be vacuumed and finally adjusted to the patients requirements. Results: End-result studies have been published on the Chêneau brace as early as 1985. Cohort studies on the Chêneau brace are available as is a controlled prospective study respecting the SRS criteria for bracing studies, demonstrating beneficial outcomes. Sufficient in-brace correction effects have been demonstrated to be achievable when the Chêneau principles of correction are used appropriately. As there is a positive correlation between in- brace correction and the final outcome, the Chêneau concept of bracing with sufficient in-brace corrections as published can be regarded as being efficient when applied well. Case reports with high in-brace corrections, as shown within this paper using the Gensingen brace™ promise beneficial outcomes when a good compliance can be achieved. Conclusions: The use of the Gensingen brace™ leads to sufficient correction effects when compared to the correction effects achieved with other braces as described in literature. This has been demonstrated in the cases shown within this paper. According to the patients’ reports the Gensingen Brace™ is comfortable to wear, when adjusted properly. Further studies are necessary (1) in order to evaluate brace comfort and (2) effectiveness using the SRS inclusion criteria.