Since the 70s, many surface topography –surface metrology systems have been developed, which are applied for the clinical assessment of spine deformities.

The Formetric 4D system is a 4^th generation system, one of the most advanced surface metrology systems, combining the raster stereography method with biomechanical modelling, to measure the surface of the body.

The back of the patient examined is subjected to light scanning which is registered in the device and subsequently analysed, resulting in a 3D model.

It can take 600.000 measurements, enabling the verification of any spine deformity, without radiation or direct contact with the body.

Safe measurement, ideal for children, teenagers and even pregnant women, highly accurate and reliable, depicting:

• the spine deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis)
• the trunk length, from C7 to L4
• the vertebral rotation
• the pelvic obliquity
• the pelvic torsion
• the sagittal imbalance
• the coronal imbalance et.al.

A precious tool, both for preventing and controlling the corrections during the brace treatment, provided a follow-up protocol is observed from the very first visit. We thus have the possibility to compare successive examinations and highlight the upcoming changes during the follow-up of the person over time.

The Formetric 4D method is considered today an indispensable tool to assess and follow up the spine deformities and in particular idiopathic scoliosis. It reduces the need for x-rays and children’s exposure to radiation to the strictly necessary, whilst offering a 3D registration measurement of the body surface, (mainly the posterior surface), contrary to x-rays – (an examination which gives us only two-dimensional information).

It has been established worldwide and is continuously improving, following the progress and improvements of the relevant technology.