Conservative methods for scoliosis offer promising results

Conservative methods for scoliosis offer promising results
Scoliosis represents one of the most common orthopedic deformity of children and is responsible for the greatest number of surgeries within this population (1,2). A wide range of health effects have been reported to be associated with scoliosis, including, self image, increased pain and reduced function (3,4).

The effect of rigid bracing methods remains controversial and is largely dependent on overall wear time (5-7). The literature has also outlined the potential psychosocial consequences of such methods (8).

Conversely, customized bracing combined with in/out patient rehabilitation have revealed successful outcomes with lower surgical intervention (9,10). For example, the SpineCor brace, a soft and dynamic brace has shown a 96.7% effectiveness in curves up to 30 degrees as the sole treatment intervention 2 years after treatment (11).

The SpineCor brace has several advantages when compared to rigid bracing and/or surgery.

• Dynamic in nature which promotes Neuromuscular Re-Education
• Increased rates of compliance due to Comfort Ability and Virtually Unnoticeable to peers
  
• Children are encouraged to actively Engage in Physical activities and Sports
  

Scoliosis, representing a multifactorial condition, often requires the incorporation of several specialties. The use of specific rehabilitative methods in conjunction with the SpineCor brace (when appropriate) at our facility has provided an effective alternative means to more invasive methods of treatment.

Optimum Candidates:
Although results have been achieved that have not met this criteria, the SpineCor dynamic brace is principally prescribed for Idiopathic Scoliosis patients with a Cobb angle between 15 degrees and 50 degrees and Risser sign 0 to 2.

Additional measures to accurately diagnose and assess each patient include; righting reflex testing, psychosocial evaluation, and/or advanced imaging. Fortunately, the literature is ‘uprooting’ an age-old dogma that scoliosis, even in adults, cannot be treated successfully with conservative methods (10).

We hope this information offers a New Treatment paradigm for Patients of your practice if not present already. Further questions, comments, and concerns are welcomed which may be emailed to info@scoliosiscenterofwisconsin.com

References
1. Dickson RA: Spinal deformity-adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: non-operative treatment. Spine 1999, 24:2601-2606.

2. Kelsey J: Epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders. New York: Oxford University Press; 1982.

3. Caillet R: Scoliosis Diagnosis and management. Philadelphia FA Davis; 1975.
Goldberg MS, Mayo NE, Poitras B, Scott S, Hanley J: The Ste-Justine Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Cohort Study: part 1: descript of the study. Spine 1994, 19:1551-1556.

4. Karol LA. Effectiveness of bracing in male patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Spin 2001;26:2001-5.
Gurnham RB. Adolescent compliance with spinal brace wear. Orthop Nurs 1983;2:13-17.
DiRaimondo CV, Green NE: Brace-wear compliance in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. J Pediatr Orthop 1988;8:143-6.

5. Climent J, Sanchez J. Impact of the type of brace on the quality of life of adolescents with spine deformities. Spine 1999;24:1903-1908.

6. Weiss RH, Weiss G, Schaar HJ: Incidence of surgery in conservatively treated patients with scoliosis.
Developmental Neurorehabilitation 2003;6:111-118.