Kenny Kwan, BMBCh, FRCSEd(Orth), FHKCOS, FHKAM(Orth), clinical assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong, is the winner of the first-ever Biedermann Innovation Award from the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS). The award was made possible by a new partnership with Lutz Biedermann.
Kenny Kwan Wins Inaugural SRS Biedermann Innovation Award
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Dr. Kwan is being recognized for his proposed work, “Effectiveness of Three-dimensional Correction During Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Prospective Randomised Clinical Trial of Rigo Chêneau Versus Boston-style Orthoses.”
“I am honoured by the SRS Grants Selection Committee for choosing my project for the award, and also very grateful to the Biedermann family for supporting the SRS with this award,” said Dr. Kwan to OTW, “This award will enable me to perform the meaningful research, and hope it will encourage other young investigators to apply for the award in the future.”
Furthering Conservative Treatment
He commented to OTW, “My research topic is on effectiveness of three-dimensional correction during bracing in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a prospective randomised clinical trial of Rigo Chêneau versus Boston-style orthoses. My interest in this area came from a previous SRS-supported research project looking at the role of three-dimensional correction during bracing in scoliosis. I found that using conventional braces which were not known to exert rotational correction, those patients who had three-dimensional correction due to natural uncoupling of the spine resulted in better outcomes at the end of bracing (in terms of curve progression control).”
“Hence, I looked at several different brace designs that were specifically developed to improve the rotational plane correction and the evidence that this translated to better outcomes. The Rigo brace was designed to improve the rotational correction, but there is no prospective comparative study on how this affects the outcomes of bracing. So I decided to propose this randomised controlled clinical trial to study the three-dimensional effects of this brace and its relationship to clinical outcomes. Hopefully this will add further knowledge to the conservative treatment in scoliosis, and help us select better braces for patients in the future.”
Accoding to the SRS, “The Lutz Biedermann Innovation Award is designed to support innovative research by a young clinical investigator in the field of spinal deformity. The award will be available to SRS members who are age 45 or younger at the time of the award. Award winners will have demonstrated clinical or translational research promise and will submit a research proposal designed to enhance innovation in spinal deformity treatment. All applications are reviewed and selected by the SRS Research Grants Committee.”
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This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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