Spi′nal-dis-tor′tion Ap′pa-ra′tus.
（Surgical.) An apparatus designed to gradually restore the spine to its normal condition when it has become curved. A is intended to remedy backward protusion. The belt a passes around the pelvis region; the front is made broad to compress the protruding abdomen. An elastic band of silk and rubber, stretched between the side-bars b b, bears against the protuberant spine, and to the side-bars are attached elliptic padded springs, which press on each side of the spine, but yield to the motions of the body. Two elastic padded crutches c c tend to elevate the body, pressing principally under the margin of the scapulae, to avoid compression of the axillary veins. The elastic belt B is intended to give additional pressure, if needed, but principally to compress the sternum, which generally protrudes. It is also designed to be worn at night, when the apparatus itself is not applied C is the brace for lateral curvature, as illustrated at D. It consists of a belt supporting a posterior upright bar carrying two pads for the scapulae, and a leathern band attached by elastic webbings and buttons; this is passed around the protuberance obliquely, and buttoned to the belt in front, so as to exert a gentle pressure, and at the same time tend to turn the ribs around their vertebral axes, thus straightening the spine. D, the trunk of the human skeleton, illustrating a case of lateral distortion of the spine.
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| Spinal-distortion apparatus. |
