Tag: Scoliosis bracing

14 Myths about Scoliosis, Revisited!

Posted on January 7, 2021 by - Blog

Nearly three years ago we posted an article entitled “14 Myths about Scoliosis” – and by all accounts, it’s one of our most-read articles of all time. Perhaps there’s something about myth-busting, which is especially needed in the scoliosis world. Three years ago, we pointed out that much of what we know and understand about scoliosis is based on emerging research, or out of date information – scoliosis treatment is a rapidly advancing field, in which the best clinics need to stay on top of the technological and research developments.

After just a few years, this week, we revisit the 14 myths to see what we can add.

 

Myth 1 – Scoliosis causes pain

In 2017 we wrote that “while Scoliosis may be associated with pain as it develops, typically, scoliosis in the early phases does not cause pain. This is why scoliosis screening is so important, and why we provide the scoliscreen app. In Children especially, the early onset of scoliosis might go completely unnoticed.”

This has been perhaps the biggest change on the list – really, this no longer belongs on a list of “Myths” – to be clear, research now suggests that scoliosis does cause pain, at least in some cases. Certainly, we can no longer assume that the presence of pain means scoliosis is not a factor to consider.

This view was mostly based on older research, which had gone mainly unchallanaged for decades. Since then there has been a great deal of study on pain in scoliosis, so that today, we’re of the view that pain is, in fact, often a symptom of scoliosis. Research has now shown that Spinal pain is a frequent condition in AIS patients, further supporting the need for early detection and screening to minimise potential pain and suffering[1] –  that In patients under 21 treated for back pain, scoliosis was the most common underlying condition[2] and that in one study of 2400 patients with AIS, 23% reported back pain at their initial contact[3].

Studies have also shown that s coliosis patients have between a 3 and 5 fold increased risk of back pain in the upper and middle right part of the back[4] , that Chronic nonspecific back pain (CNSBP) is frequently associated with AIS, with a greater reported prevalence (59%) than seen in adolescents without scoliosis (33%)[5] and that patients diagnosed with AIS at age 15 are 42% more likely to report back pain at age 18.[6]

 

 

Myth 2 – “Watchful waiting” is the best approach

In 2017 we wrote: “In the UK and many other parts of the world a “wait and see” approach is often favoured when it comes to scoliosis. The condition is monitored to see if it gets worse, with a view to undertaking a surgical fusion of the spine if the situation becomes bad enough.

In the past, this might have been the best approach, but today we have the know-how and technical ability required to create a scoliosis specific exercise program and a customised bracing solution, which can serve to correct the problem before it progresses to the point where surgery would be required. It is easier to improve a more flexible and smaller curve with bracing and scoliosis specific exercise than it is to change a large more rigid curve – so early diagnosis and appropriate treatment make a big difference.”

Since 2017 we’ve discussed the cost benefits of early screening on a number of occasions – bracing and treatment costs have come down meaning that early detection and treatment makes all the more sense financially.

Earlier this year, we reported that many specialists still take the view that scoliosis can only be treated surgically (this is false!), in many cases you may not be seen by a specialist until scoliosis has developed beyond 45 degrees, which is typically considered the threshold for surgery. Bracing and other non-surgical methods are certainly still possible in curves up to 60 degrees depending on the individual case and risk of future progression.

Recent research by the British Scoliosis Society (BSS) has now illustrated just how long “wait and see” can go on, even after getting an appointment for a consultation. They showed that most patients face another long wait for treatment during which scoliosis tends to progress. Their 2018 study specifically looked at scoliosis progression whilst waiting for a consultation and eventual surgery. In the study, 41 females and 20 males with a mean age of 11.8 years with a mean Cobb angle (curvature) of 58° were followed –  Average waiting time to be seen in the clinic for an initial consultation was 16 months – thereafter, the average waiting time for surgery was 10 months. Rapid curve progression was seen in twelve patients, of which 10 required more extensive surgery than originally planned. Their mean Cobb angle at presentation was 48° which increased to a mean of 58° at surgery[7]. Many of those cases could have been treated non surgically before the “waiting” – but probably not after.

 

 

Myth 3 – Scoliosis screening doesn’t help scoliosis sufferers

In 2017 we wrote: “Current UK policy does not support mass screenings due to the cost, potential of false positives, belief that bracing doesn’t work and that if the curve is severe enough family or other adults will notice it.

As we mentioned above, since scoliosis does not always cause pain (and most people don’t know how to recognise scoliosis anyway) it’s entirely possible that the condition can go unnoticed in many cases. The earlier the detection, the more appropriately the right treatment can be given at the right time.”

Research continues to support the need for early screening, although we do now recognise pain as a symptom. Newer online screening tools (including our own, which will be released soon) are helping to make screening faster, and easier than ever before – the scoliosis treatment community will probably resolve this issue through technology long before government takes any action.

 

 

Myth 4 – Scoliosis doesn’t progress into adulthood

In 2017 we wrote “Historically, scoliosis was most strongly associated with growth – from this it was assumed that when an adolescent stops growing, scoliosis would not progress. It is now known that it often will progress into adulthood – in addition, the bigger the existing curve the more likely it is to progress.

The major reason for progression is the weakening of the ligaments in the spine as we age. As the ligaments weaken, the spine loses stability and the spinal deformity worsens. This means that appropriate exercises and chiropractic care are highly beneficial for us all as we age – but can make a huge difference to a scoliosis sufferer.

The weakening of ligaments causes 30% of the population over the age of 60 years to have scoliosis versus only 3% of adolescents!”

 

Since 2017, we’ve successfully treated many older adults suffering from degenerative scoliosis – and we’ve seen first hand the positive effects such as a reduction in pain, even from part-time bracing – in this sense, our results are in line with the research which was emerging back in 2017.[8]

 

Myth 5 – Swimming will help reduce scoliosis

In 2017 we wrote “Over many years children have been told to swim to treat scoliosis. While swimming is a great form of exercise in general, there is no evidence to support this idea – although there actually has been some research which suggests that scoliosis can be worsened after swimming. This research is not strong enough to suggest that scoliosis patients should avoid swimming, but we can now say that swimming alone is not an effective treatment.”

Since then, we aren’t aware of any studies which have specifically looked at swimming – and this is mainly because there is much greater focus on scoliosis specific exercises which can help to control or reduce Scoliosis in a significant way.

 

 

Myth 6 – Bad posture causes scoliosis

In 2017 we wrote that “You might think that telling your child to sit upright will stop scoliosis – this makes sense since often adolescents will have slumping posture, however, the slumping posture itself is not necessarily linked to the development of scoliosis.

In fact, for children with scoliosis, the spine will often be straighter than is observed in the average population. Typically, the thoracic kyphosis in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis will be reduced and sometimes even bend in the opposite direction!

Often children’s shoulder blades will lift off the thorax (aka winging of the scapula) due to weakness of the serratus anterior muscle which will give the appearance of hunching.”

The only point we would add here today is that the advances in research around pain and scoliosis are significant for teens and young adults – if your child is complaining of back pain, we now advise that you seek the help of a spinal professional, at least to rule out scoliosis. A consultation with a scoliosis practitioner is ideal – but most professional chiropractors will be able to provide you with an X-ray which could show early signs of scoliosis. If your child shows any kind of unusual posture, we recommend scoliosis screening as soon as possible.

 

Myth 7 – You can correct scoliosis by just sitting up straight

In 2017 we wrote “Scoliosis is more than just twisting of the spine, it causes is often multi-factorial thus a multi-factorial treatment must be given.  Sitting up straight might help a little since postural exercises might well be an effective element of a treatment program, but the right treatment will be different for every patient – that’s why we take time to go through a detailed consultation process with each patient.”

It’s still true that you can’t correct scoliosis by changing your sitting patterns – but with higher than ever levels of young people coming into our clinic with neck problems, it’s worth keeping in mind. Long term postural problems could predispose you to the development of de-novo scoliosis later in life – so a focus on posture now may pay dividends later.

 

Myth 8 – Spinal braces don’t work in correcting scoliosis

In 2017 we wrote that “Spinal bracing has been the subject of intense research over the past 15-20 years. Far from the myth that they are ineffective, spinal braces have been shown to reduce progression in 70 to 80% of cases compared to those who aren’t braced.

Among some healthcare professionals, the notion that scoliosis braces don’t work does still exist however this is most usually because there is confusion about the kind of bracing being discussed. Bracing technology itself has come a long way in the last few years.  Traditional medical braces are designed to hold the spine in the patient’s scoliotic position, which might halt progression, but it actually does nothing to improve the curve.

In contrast, our Scolibrace braces are an active over-corrective brace which works to shift the spine in the opposite, direction back towards normal posture. In addition, they help to shift the mechanical loading of the spine to stimulate normal spinal growth. This not only helps to reduce the likelihood of progression but also improves the potential correction.

Traditional braces, therefore don’t work in correcting scoliosis (although they might stop it getting worse) Scolibrace braces, however, actively work to correct the position of the spine, and have been shown to be highly effective in doing so.”

In recent years there has been yet more improvement in bracing technology, with research to further explore its effects being published regularly. Since 2017, it’s been established that Bracing is far more effective than exercise in reducing cobb angle. In one study, the 6-month reduction in Cobb angle from a bracing group was 3.13 degrees and at 12 months the mean reduction was 5.88 degrees.  In the exercise group, the 6 months mean reduction was just 0.66 degrees, and at 12 months was 2.24 degrees[9] There’s no question that the exercise approach still have value – not least because they address the muscular imbalances that bracing does not – but today, we recommend bracing to most of our clients, either full time or part-time.

 

Myth 9 – Scoliosis only affects girls

In 2017 we wrote “Scoliosis is more common in girls than boys, but boys can and do develop scoliosis.

Scoliosis is particularly common in ballet dancers and gymnasts, which might be at the heart of this misconception, but there is no doubt the boys and girls can both develop scoliosis.”

Our experience since then shows this to be true – more girls than boys experience scoliosis, but we have seen many male patients of all ages at the clinic. To be a little more specific on the Gymnastics question, research has shown that Gymnasts (and ballet dancers) are as much as 12 times more likely to develop scoliosis than non-gymnasts[10] however, we still urge caution with this statistic – we’ve discussed this issue a few time since 2017, and each time we’ve noted the awareness of scoliosis in these fields, which doubtless leads to higher reporting.

 

Myth 10 – Spinal manipulation can reduce scoliosis

In 2017 we wrote that “Spinal adjustment and manipulation can often help to improve spinal mobility and ease areas of aches and pains in those who have scoliosis, just as it can for those who don’t – but spinal manipulation alone will not reduce scoliosis.

While chiropractic adjustments can form a valuable part of an overall treatment regime, there is no evidence from the scientific literature to support the assertion that spinal manipulation and adjusting techniques alone can reduce scoliosis. Where adjustments may be highly beneficial is in support of an exercise and lifestyle regime, as a method of increasing range of motion, and reducing pain in some cases.”

Over time, serious research into chiropractic based treatment as an approach to reducing scoliosis has been coalescing around the CLEAR institute, who have certainly published some interesting research. In a sample of 140 patients using the prospective CLEAR technique, (and according to the CLEAR institute themselves) improvement in Cobb angle was documented in all 140 cases. The average amount of reduction in Cobb angle was 37.7% after an average of 12.3 visits. 23 patients were no longer classified as having scoliosis after their treatment (e.g., the Cobb angle was reduced to below 10 degrees).

While the study results were published[11], they were not peer-reviewed and therefore do not currently meet the standard of proof for us to consider this technique at the UK Scoliosis Clinic – we will keep this under review, however, should independently reviewed research become available.

 

Myth 11 – Physiotherapy exercise reduces scoliosis

In 2017 we wrote: “Just like chiropractic care, physiotherapy can help to improve mobility and function for scoliosis patients and might form part of an overall program – however again there is no evidence to show that generalised exercise, massage, mobilisation or core stability will improve a scoliotic curve.  Bracing and scoliosis specific exercise are currently the only non-surgical methodologies which is clinically indicated as effective in treating scoliosis.”

As outlined above, this still holds true – we believe that scoliosis specific exercise is a solid approach for treating small curves, and for addressing issues around muscular imbalance and some kinds of pain associated with scoliosis. Research continues to show that a combination of both approaches is greater than the sum of its parts. Interestingly, research since 2017 has demonstrated that exercised based approaches tend to yield a slightly higher quality of life scores (SRS Questionnaire-based) than bracing alone[12].

Our view is now that Bracing is the primary tool for reducing Cobb angle – exercised based approaches are an invaluable “force multiplier” in this regard.

 

Myth 12 – Heavy backpacks cause scoliosis

In 2017 we wrote that “Heavy backpacks cause uneven loading and are never good for children’s spines and posture… but they don’t cause scoliosis. If it was the case every child would have scoliosis!”

This is still the case – but please do be kind to you child and think about their spine health overall, not just scoliosis!

 

Myth 13 – Scoliosis worsens in pregnancy or will stop me having children

In 2017 we wrote that “Current research knowledge shows that women are not at an increased risk of progression in pregnancy, however carrying a baby will produce more stress upon the body and the spine which will increase the likelihood of pain and discomfort as for all women in pregnancy.

At birth, it is important for the anaesthetist to be aware that a mother has scoliosis, as it will affect the position of the spine if they need to give an epidural injection. It will not however affect the woman’s ability to carry a child or give birth.”

Again this position I unchanged – Scoliosis will not affect your fertility.

 

Myth 14 – Surgery is the only treatment for scoliosis

In 2017 we wrote that “Surgery is sometimes the only option for large curves at high risk of progression.  50 degrees is the typical indicator for surgery as the curve is at a high risk of progression into adulthood.

Scolibrace with scoliosis specific corrective exercise has been shown to be clinically effective in reducing curves between 20 and 60 degrees, whereas curves between 10 and 20 degrees with a low risk of progression can sometimes be treated by scoliosis specific exercise alone.

As previously mentioned early diagnosis is key, as the chances for arresting and correcting a relatively small angle are very good.”

Since 2017, we’ve helped patients from all backgrounds, ages and genders beat scoliosis – and in the vast majority of cases, we have been able to help them avoid surgery. Where this hasn’t been possible, it is almost always because they sought treatment too latte – had scoliosis been caught sooner, a non-surgical option would almost always have been open to them.

As always, screen regularly – and if you have questions get in touch – don’t wait and see!

 

 

[1] ‘Back Pain and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Descriptive, Correlation Study’,
Theroux Jean, Le May Sylvie, Labelle Hubert [University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia], Spine Society of Australia 27th Annual Scientific Meeting (8-10 April 2016)

‘Back Pain Prevalence Is Associated With Curve-type and Severity in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis A Cross-sectional Study’
Jean Theroux, DC, MSc, PhD, Sylvie Le May, RN, PhD, Jeffrey J. Hebert, DC, PhD,and Hubert Labelle, MD : SPINE 153607

 

[2] Dimar 2nd JR, Glassman SD, Carreon LY. Juvenile degenerative disc disease: a report of 76 cases identified by magnetic resonance imaging. Spine J. 2007;7:332–7.

 

[3] Ramirez N, Johnston CE, Browne RH. The prevalence of back pain in children who have idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1997;79:364–8

 

[4] Sato T, Hirano T, Ito T, Morita O, Kikuchi R, Endo N, et al. Back pain in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: epidemiological study for 43,630 pupils in Niigata City. Japan Eur Spine J. 2011;20:274–9

 

[5] Jean Theroux et al. Back Pain Prevalence Is Associated With Curve-type and Severity in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis Spine: August 1, 2017 – Volume 42 – Issue 15

 

[6] Clark EM, Tobias JH, Fairbank J. The impact of small spinal curves in adolescents that have not presented to secondary care: a population- based cohort study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2016; 41:E611–7.

 

[7] H V Dabke, A Jones, S Ahuja, J Howes, P R Davies, SHOULD PATIENTS WAIT FOR SCOLIOSIS SURGERY?  Orthopaedic ProceedingsVol. 88-B, No. SUPP_II

[8] Scoliosis bracing and exercise for pain management in adults—a case report
Weiss et al, J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Aug; 28(8): 2404–2407

[9] Yu Zheng, MD PhD et al. Whether orthotic management and exercise are equally effective to the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Mainland China? – A randomized controlled trial study SPINE: An International Journal for the study of the spine [Publish Ahead of Print]

 

[10] ‘Prevalence and predictors of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in adolescent ballet dancers’
Longworth B., Fary R., Hopper D, Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Sep;95(9):1725-30. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.02.027. Epub 2014 Mar 21.

 

[11] Woggon D, Woggon A, and Chong S: Developing a scoliosis-specific chiropractic protocol: preliminary results from 140 consecutively-treated scoliosis cases. The American Chiropractor, Dec 2013; 35(12):16-22.

[12] Yu Zheng, MD PhD et al. Whether orthotic management and exercise are equally effective to the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Mainland China? – A randomized controlled trial study SPINE: An International Journal for the study of the spine [Publish Ahead of Print]

 

What is Night Time Bracing?

Posted on April 1, 2020 by - Blog

Today, Scoliosis bracing is recognised as the most effective non-surgical scoliosis treatment to reduce cobb angle in scoliosis cases – and to do so relatively quickly. This isn’t to say that bracing is a total solution – scoliosis also creates muscle and posture imbalances which are best addressed by methods such as scoliosis specific exercise, however, we now understand that Bracing is far more effective than exercise in reducing cobb angle itself. [1]

Research also shows that the longer scoliosis braces are worn, the more quickly the underlying cobb angle can be corrected[2] – this means that typically, bracing will be almost full time with a view to achieving rapid change. However, for some smaller curves night time bracing, a part-time bracing option, maybe a viable way to go – so what’s the evidence for night time bracing?

 

Night time bracing

Whereas most scoliosis bracing takes place on a nearly full-time basis, night time bracing is a part-time approach – which, as you may have guessed, takes place in the evening and at night.

Night time bracing is one approach which has been considered as a way of addressing concerns relating to poor patient compliance, which is often noted with the use of full-time bracing. Night time braces will, by their nature, tend to correct a curve more slowly than a full-time brace – however, based on the clinical results available, a recent study concluded that night time braces constitute an attractive option for single-major lumbar/thoracolumbar curves not exceeding 35 degrees in magnitude. [3]

Like all approaches, night time braces have some pros and cons, however, and it’s a decision that should be discussed with a scoliosis professional. Some factors to consider are:

 

Advantages of night-time braces

More attractive wear time – many patients find that wearing a brace in the evening or at night is easier for them to manage from a social point of view, and it’s an attractive option for parents who are worried about bracing their children during school hours.

Higher compliance – Compliance with prescribed brace wear time is one of the most critical aspects of scoliosis treatment, and with young children and adults, in particular, maintaining compliance is perhaps the most difficult part of treatment. Higher compliance rates, even at a slower correction speed, may prove better in the long term than a full-time brace which is not worn properly.

Ideal for maintaining results – Night time braces represent an excellent option for preventing scoliosis returning in patients who have successfully completed treatment, but need to maintain curve correction until skeletal maturity has been achieved. Unlike an exercise-based approach, a night time brace requires very little effort from the user.

Suitable for early intervention – Night time braces may be a good choice for patients who have a curve unsuitable for exercise-based treatment, or for those who are too young or weak to be able to perform exercise properly.

 

Disadvantages of night-time braces

Slower curve correction – cobb angle correction correlates with brace wear time, so a lower wear time means a longer duration of treatment. In some situations, a shorter course of more intensive bracing may be preferable.

Not suitable for large curves –  larger curves require full time bracing, meaning that night time braces are not likely to be effective for more serious scoliosis cases. Our ScoliNight brace is recommended for curves less than 25 degrees.

Less cost-effective –  night time braces achieve less correction over the same course of time than a full-time brace. In growing children, this may mean multiple braces need to be purchased, rather than just one full-time brace.

 

In most cases, we recommend a full time (or near full time) brace for scoliosis treatment, especially for larger curves. In most cases, correcting the curve as soon as possible is the main concern – however as suggested above, night time bracing could be an excellent option for correction maintenance over the longer term.

It’s also important to stress that modern scoliosis braces do go quite some way to alleviate the main issues associated with low compliance – the model we prefer, the ScoliBrace, is designed using a fully individualised CAD/CAM process to fit the wearer snugly but comfortably. ScoliBrace comes in a wide variety of colours and can be virtually invisible under clothes if this is the look you prefer. Similarly, it’s flexible enough to allow the wearer to participate in sporting activities and normal play with no significant hindrance.

 

Want more information about night time Bracing?

To find out if night time bracing might be the right option for you, book a consultation today! The UK Scoliosis Clinic offers consultations at our clinic, or online, via webex

 

 

[1] Yu Zheng, MD PhD et al. Whether orthotic management and exercise are equally effective to the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Mainland China? – A randomized controlled trial study SPINE: An International Journal for the study of the spine [Publish Ahead of Print]

[2] ‘Effects of Bracing in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis’
Stuart L. Weinstein, Lori A. Dolan, James G. Wright, and Matthew B. Dobbs, N Engl J Med 2013; 369:1512-1521 October 17, 2013DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1307337

[3] Grivas TB, Rodopoulos GI, Bardakos NV. Biomechanical and clinical perspectives on nighttime bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2008;135:274-90. PMID: 18401098.

How to choose a scoliosis brace – questions to ask your practitioner

Posted on February 4, 2020 by - Blog

Regular readers of this blog will know that at the UK Scoliosis clinic, we believe that scoliosis bracing is the best approach to reducing cobb angle in the majority of scoliosis cases, and indeed, it is becoming clear from larger-scale studies that this is the case. [1]

It’s certainly true that some smaller degree curves can be effectively treated with exercise approaches alone, however even these cases treatment with a brace will often be faster, and much easier in terms of effectiveness and compliance with younger patients.

In many instances then, parents of patients or patients may find themselves interested in the idea of bracing, but unsure about which type of brace will be the most appropriate. This week, let’s look at the factors you may want to consider when choosing a brace, and questions you may want to ask your scoliosis bracing practitioner.

 

 

1 – Active, or passive?

Once upon a time, the only kinds of scoliosis brace available were what are now known as “passive” braces – these include models such as the “Boston brace”. Passive braces are not really intended as a treatment for scoliosis, instead as a method to slow its progression. Passive braces work by holding the spine in its current, scoliotic position – this can slow and perhaps stop the progression of the condition but will do nothing to reverse it, and therefore nothing to alleviate the symptoms.

Passive braces are still offered by some clinics and are sometimes provided via the NHS – we would strongly recommend that you avoid passive braces since in the long run they will not improve the condition.

The below image shows a adolescent with idiopathic scoliosis, with a right thoracic curve measuring 49.50 degrees out of brace, and in the second X-ray (with a passive brace on)  shows the curve as almost the same, as the goal of a passive brace is too just hold the current spinal position not straighten the spine.

Active braces, such as our recommended model, the ScoliBrace, are the opposite – over time they are designed to gently guide the spine back into the correct position so that the longer the user wears the brace the greater their spine correction will be.

The below image shows a right thoracic curve similar to that of the first patient – The curve measured 41 degrees – however, this time when the In-brace x-ray was taken,  the curve reduced to 13 degrees.

 

2- Flexibility

Most modern scoliosis braces are designed using a CAD/CAM process and are therefore perfectly fitted for their users – this makes the majority of models low profile, but low profile braces are not necessarily also flexible braces. Braces such as Scolibrace are designed to be minimally restrictive when being worn and even allow the user to participate in sporting activities while wearing the brace. This may be more or less of a factor depending upon your lifestyle, but it worth keeping in mind.

 

3 – Adjustability

A big factor differentiating the cost of modern braces is their durability for use over the course of scoliosis treatment. Some cheaper scoliosis braces are manufactured to fit your body at a specific time and for a specific degree of correction only. Once you have either outgrown the brace, or you have reached the maximum degree of correction which the brace can provide, a new brace will need to be fitted. If your case is not a severe one, a single brace may be enough to correct your scoliosis – but many patients will end up paying for multiple braces, thus driving up longer-term costs when non-adjustable braces are used.

An alternative (albeit an alternative which will be slightly more expensive upfront) is an adjustable brace. Scolibrace falls into this category and allows for periodic adjustment and augmentation of the brace to allow it to follow along with your scoliosis correction. Patients with significant curves may still need more than one scolibrace, but by contrast, 3 or even 4 fixed shape braces would certainly cost more in its place.

In the picture below you can see the effect of a corrective brace pad reducing the curve from 13 degrees down to just 7.5.

 

4 – User-friendliness

An often-overlooked factor for scoliosis braces is the ease with which they can be put on, or taken off. Depending on your treatment protocol you may only need to wear your brace for a certain part of the day, only at night or may be able to take the brace off for physical activity. This is, of course, only possible if the brace is easy for the user to take it off, or put it back on!

Pay special attention to this factor if you live alone, or have children who require a brace, since a brace which is not correctly fitted will not do its job!

 

5- Style

While style probably isn’t the best criteria to judge the success of a brace by, compliance  – that is to say how often patients actually wear the brace – is certainly a major factor. Braces such as Scolibrace are available in a range of colours and patterns so that they can either be produced in a style which matches your own preference, or in colour designed to blend in under clothing, especially school uniform.

 

[1] Yu Zheng, MD PhD et al. Whether orthotic management and exercise are equally effective to the

patients with adolescentidiopathic scoliosis in Mainland China? –A randomized controlled trial study

SPINE: An International Journal for the study of the spine [Publish Ahead of Print]

Is scoliosis a risk factor for mental health?

Posted on November 16, 2019 by - Blog

Like all reputable clinics, the UK scoliosis clinic focuses the majority of its time and effort on providing the best possible treatment for scoliosis cases. For the most part, this means keeping up with the latest research, bracing and exercise based techniques which can assist in controlling and reducing scoliosis, however, where we also concentrate a lot of time and attention is to the psychological aspects of living with and being treated for scoliosis.

 

Scoliosis and Psychological factors

Like any condition, Scoliosis can obviously cause distress and concern – but there are some specific factors associated with scoliosis which may make the condition especially difficult for many patients to cope with. The key areas include:

  • The fact that Scoliosis does cause physical deformity, and very often strikes at the most sensitive time in a young person’s life. It’s normal and expected for teens and young adults to experience stress and difficulty associated with physical changes in their body and the formation of their adult identity, even under typical circumstances – scoliosis can certainly complicate this.
  • Misinformation about scoliosis which is frequently repeated. Many still believe that a diagnosis of scoliosis necessitates surgery, which, ironically, can prevent some people from taking advantage of screening. It’s also commonly believed that scoliosis can impact on the ability to have children, take part in physical activity or even live a normal life. While it’s true that if left untreated scoliosis could lead to some of these outcomes, early treatment can often make such outcomes almost completely avoidable.
  • Concerns about bracing, and stigma associated with bracing. It’s certainly the case that “old style” braces such as the Boston brace were visible, clunky and certainly embarrassing for young people – but modern CAD/CAM braces, such as ScoliBrace, are virtually invisible under clothing.
  • Fear of being unable to participate in normal activities. Again, with modern bracing technology this is rarely if ever, an issue – today’s braces are so easy to put on and take off that they can simply be removed for exercise, although designs such as ScoliBrace are actually flexible enough to be left on.

With each of these concerns, the critical point to stress is that Scoliosis, if caught early enough can now usually be treated non-surgically and quite quickly, through bracing, exercise or a combination of both. The best possible way to detect scoliosis is through a routine screening, which can often allow the condition to be detected long before it has progressed to a significant degree.

 

Scoliosis and psychological health : scientific research

There has been some limited research which has sought to understand the impact that scoliosis can have on a young person’s psychological health – although it’s still fair to say that only a small part of the literature relating to scoliosis considers this angle, there is still sufficient a body of evidence for us to draw some meaningful conclusions.

One such study looked at adolescents with and without scoliosis in Minnesota who were 12 through 18 years of age. During the study, six hundred eighty-five cases of scoliosis were identified from the 34,706 adolescents. The prevalence was therefore 1.97%  (incidentally, this is slightly below the average figure). The researchers wanted to calculate the odds ratio of scoliosis to some common psychological issues.

Put simply, an odds ratio is a measure of how strongly related two items are – An odds ratio of more than 1 means that there are a higher odds of property B happening with exposure to property A, whereas an odds ratio of exactly 1 means that exposure to property A does not affect the odds of property B. An odds ratio is less than 1 is associated with lower odds of two factors being related. [1]

In the study, of the 685 adolescents with scoliosis, the odds ratio for having suicidal thought among adolescents with scoliosis, compared to adolescents without scoliosis, was 1.40 after adjustment for race, gender, socioeconomic status, and age. The odds ratio for having feelings about poor body development among adolescents with scoliosis was 1.82 compared with adolescents without scoliosis after adjustment for race, gender, socioeconomic status, and age. Scoliosis was therefore deemed to be an independent risk factor for suicidal thought, worry and concern over body development, and peer interactions.

In a 2019 study, which compared scoliosis treatment approaches, the SRS-22 (a standardised scoliosis quality of life screening form) was used to explore the impact which treatment had on psychological health.  Here, researchers noticed that self-image was significantly improved amongst patients treated with a scoliosis brace, especially at a follow up after 12 months of treatment, this was especially interesting given the negative self-image association which is sometimes linked to bracing

Researchers found a similar improvement in patients treated with an exercise methodology –  all the SRS-22 quality of life subsets showed a slightly larger improvement across the three visits than bracing, although the correction of scoliosis was less.[2]

 

Does scoliosis affect psychological health?

From the research which has been conducted, as well as our own experience at the clinic we feel it’s safe to say that scoliosis can be a significant risk factor for psychological health – especially in young people. While this certainly does not mean that everyone with scoliosis will struggle with mental health as a result, it’s clearly important that scoliosis clinicians are aware of the risk, and work to mitigate it.

At the UK Scoliosis clinic, we believe that properly researched information, coupled with effective treatment, applied as quickly as possible is the best possible way to address the psychological risks associated with scoliosis. It’s for this reason that we continue to recommend frequent screening throughout high risk years. It cannot be stressed enough that early detection, coupled with good information can go the majority of the distance in diffusing some of the  main concerns around a scoliosis diagnosis. We would caution parents and sufferers from relying on general advice or information pulled from the internet – the best option is by far a consultation with a scoliosis professional.

[1] Payne, William K. III, MD, et al. Does Scoliosis Have a Psychological Impact and Does Gender Make a Difference? Spine: June 15, 1997 – Volume 22 – Issue 12 – p 1380–1384

[2] Yu Zheng, MD PhD et al. Whether orthotic management and exercise are equally effective to the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Mainland China? – A randomized controlled trial study SPINE: An International Journal for the study of the spine [Publish Ahead of Print]

Study suggests bracing is also effective in early-onset scoliosis patients

Posted on October 24, 2019 by - Blog

While the majority of studies on scoliosis bracing focus primarily on adolescent scoliosis sufferers, there are many other groups who do suffer from scoliosis in significant numbers. Over the last few weeks, we have looked at scoliosis treatment in older individuals -this week we’re examining the best options for very young (infantile or juvenile) patients.

Today, scoliosis in infants and juveniles is treated either with serial casting or with a bracing approach (bracing usually in children at the older end of the age range.)  Serial casting – where a child is placed in a series of casts, with the goal of correcting scoliosis has often been the preferred approach, since early-onset of scoliosis (EOS) patients are skeletally immature and have the largest potential for fast recovery through non-operative treatments[1]. As bracing technology has improved however, it has also become common practice for bracing to be prescribed after casting to maintain the initial correction. Bracing is now also prescribed to patients who are not able to tolerate casting[2] – but new research is now beginning to explore bracing as a “first choice” option for younger patients.

Such studies are welcome since overall, bracing studies are usually done on AIS patients, which means that while there is a strong case to be made for bracing in other groups, it has been slow to assemble the scientific proof of concept. A recent study from 2019 has now added significantly to our understanding of bracing in younger patients and is (so far as we are aware) the first study to explore the effectiveness of CAD/CAM bracing approaches in very young patients.

 

Bracing in young children – new research

The study[3], conducted at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin sought to understand how effective a customised over-corrective brace (like ScoliBrace) was in treating scoliosis in young patients with Infantile scoliosis (IS) and Juvenile scoliosis (JS).

Thirty-eight patients (22 males, 16 females; 17 IS, 21 JS) were recruited for this study. 9 children were diagnosed with neuromuscular scoliosis, 1 congenital scoliosis, and 28 with IS or JS. The average age was 6.2 years old (ranging from 4 months to 10-years-old). Criteria for inclusion included:
1) All subjects are diagnosed with IS or JS (idiopathic, neuromuscular, or congenital);
2) Subjects must have not had any type of spinal surgery prior to bracing treatment;
3) Must be under 10 years old during the time of their first scan;
4) Must have had at least one follow up visit after their baseline scan before the 12-month mark.

During the trial, investigators utilised 3D scanning technology (similar to BraceScan) to map the exact requirements for the scoliosis brace for each patient – this was then manufactured using a CAD/CAM approach, facilitating a very high degree of accuracy. At an initial fitting, a scoliosis specialist checked that the brace was functioning as required and made any small adjustments necessary.

Overall, amongst the patients as a group the starting Cobb angle was 38 ± 14° in the thoracic curve (ranging from 19° to 68°), 30 ± 9.6° in the thoracolumbar (ranging from 19° to 42°), and 36 ± 10.3° in the lumbar sections (ranging from 22° to 53°).

 

Results in younger patients

After brace fitting, the investigators followed the patients for 12 months, with a view to assessing change in Cobb angle.  Firstly, no patients required surgery within the 12-month span, whereas without bracing surgery may have been necessary at least in a few cases.

When compared to the baseline measurements, the in-brace correction reduced the Cobb angle in the patients from 38° to 24.2° in the thoracic region (a 36.3% reduction), 30° to 10.3° in the thoracolumbar region (a 65.7% reduction), and from 36° to 18.5° in the lumbar (a 48.3% reduction). The juvenile group had 23% correction, 47% stabilization, and 30% progression of curves. The infantile group had 50% correction, 32% stabilization, and 18% progression of curves. The following table shows the progress over a series of three-month evaluations.

 

Levels of Curve Month Cobb Angle (°) Curve change (°) % Change
Thoracic 0 38.0 ± 14.0 NA NA
3 30.1 ± 19.7 −5.6 −15.6%
6 30.2 ± 21.5 −5.5 − 15.5%
9 31.5 ± 24.2 −4.2 −11.6%
12 29.4 ± 24.3 −6.2 −17.5%
Thoracolumbar 0 30.0 ± 9.6 NA NA
3 25.2 ± 11.2 0.2 0.6%
6 24.8 ± 11.6 −0.2 −0.9%
9 24.3 ± 10.3 −0.7 −2.7%
12 23.9 ± 10.0 −1.1 −4.5%
Lumbar 0 36.0 ± 10.3 NA NA
3 25.4 ± 14.3 −3.5 −12.2%
6 27.9 ± 14.5 −1 −3.5%
9 30.2 ± 14.2 1.3 4.5%
12 29.9 ± 14.2 1 3.6%

 

 

Is Bracing effective in young patients?

While (as we mentioned at the outset) there have been few in-depth studies considering the effectiveness of bracing in younger patients, the research presented here certainly suggests that the positive results which are typically seen in adolescents can be replicated in younger children.

Overall, the bracing approach used was shown to be effective in correcting nearly half of the thoracic curves and one-third of the other curves, over a period of 12 months. When combining all data, 75% of curves were corrected or stabilized.

As well as being effective, a bracing approach also has significant benefits in terms of quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. Since younger children with scoliosis experience such rapid spinal growth and development, traditional casting needs to be repeated every couple of months – This may be less cost-effective and less patient-friendly because visits are more frequent and may require plaster casting to be done with the patient under general anaesthesia. Bracing, by contrast, requires only a single fitting & fewer follow up visits The brace can also be removed for daily washing which is better for the infants skin and hygiene. As the child grows and changes shape, further braces may be required to treat the scoliosis effectively.

If you would like to know more about bracing in younger children, please contact us.

 

 

[1] Mehta MH. Growth as a corrective force in the early treatment of progressive infantile scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2005;87:1237–47.

[2] Weinstein SL, et al. Effects of bracing in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. N Engl J Med. 2013;369:1512–21.

[3] John Thometz, XueCheng Liu, Robert Rizza, Ian English and Sergery Tarima, Effect of an elongation bending derotation brace on the infantile or juvenile scoliosis, Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders 2018 13:13

Scoliosis specific exercise prevents loss of correction after bracing

Posted on August 21, 2018 by - Blog

When we think about scoliosis treatment we tend to focus on there here and now – normally this means concentrating on getting the correct diagnosis and making sure the right treatment program is put in place. What’s often less discussed however, are plans for going forward after you have completed your treatment.  This is especially the case when bracing – we know that bracing can offer a significant reduction in cobb angle, but what happens when it’s time to stop wearing the brace?

 

Does the end of bracing mean the return of scoliosis?

At our clinic we often encounter clients who wonder whether the end of bracing means a reversal in the correction achieved – will scoliosis start to develop again after bracing?  It’s a fair question – but thankfully research shows that a scoliosis specific exercise program – exactly the same kind of program which is usually used to support bracing – can actually be highly effective in reducing loss of correction after bracing.[1] The results of the study suggest that simply continuing with a scoliosis specific exercise program can, in fact, prevent any loss of correction.

Scoliosis specific exercises are already recommended not only as a compliment to bracing, but also as a means to avoid some of the pitfalls associated with wearing a brace – the most common issues being muscular stiffness loss of strength.[2] In fact, it’s common to use scoliosis specific exercises for a period before beginning bracing – as some research suggests this may promote a quicker correction.[3]

It’s therefore not surprising that exercises may have a valuable role to play during the weaning phase of treatment too. Brace weaning itself is a critical phase of treatment which can vary in both its nature and duration according to the patient. In some instances, clinicians reduce the daily hours of brace in a somewhat rapid way, shifting from full-time wearing (18 or more hours per day) to the point that the patient is totally free from the brace within a period of six to 12 months. Others progressively and slowly reduce the hours of brace use, with a mean reduction of two to three hours every six months.[4]  Researchers currently believe that a failure to properly support and train the trunk muscles during this period may be responsible for the loss of correction which sometimes accompanies the end of treatment – however, scoliosis specific exercises can be used to address this specific problem.

 

What does the research say?

Scoliosis SEAS treatment

SEAS exercises can reduce loss of correction in scoliosis cases

The results of one of the few studies on this specific issue were certainly encouraging– in the 2008 study, sixty-eight patients were monitored throughout their process of brace weaning. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not exercises were performed during the weaning period. The exercise group included 39 patients and was further divided into two sub-groups: a SEAS group, who performed SEAS exercise programs, and an “other” group – who performed a variety of other forms of scoliosis specific exercise.  29 patients were placed in the non- exercise group.

The study followed the patients for 2.7 years – at the end of treatment, Cobb angle had increased  in the non-exercise group (by approximately 3.5 degrees) – however both the SEAS and other exercise groups saw their cobb angles remain stable – no change was detected.

 

So does the end of bracing mean the return of scoliosis?

In short, it certainly does not have to! From a patient’s perspective it’s important to find a clinic which also provides a solid aftercare plan however. At the UK Scoliosis clinic, we take great care to plan a course of treatment which includes appropriate brace weaning support, so that maximum correction can be maintained. As new research becomes available in this regard, we’ll apply it to our programs wherever appropriate.

 

 

 

[1] Fabio Zaina et al. Specific exercises performed in the period of brace weaning can avoid loss of correction in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) patients: Winner of SOSORT’s 2008 Award for Best Clinical Paper,  Scoliosis 2009, 4:8

[2] Negrini S, Aulisa L, Ferraro C, Fraschini P, Masiero S, Simonazzi P, Tedeschi C, Venturin A: Italian guidelines on rehabilitation treatment of adolescents with scoliosis or other spinal

deformities. Eura Medicophys 2005, 41(2):183-201

[3] Negrini S, Negrini A, Romano M, Verzini N, Parzini S: A controlled prospective study on the efficacy of SEAS.02 exercises in preparation to bracing for idiopathic scoliosis. Stud Health Technol Inform 2006, 123:519-522.

[4] Negrini S: The Evidence-Based ISICO Approach to Spinal Deformities. 1st edition. Milan, Boston: ISICO; 2007.

Scoliosis Treatment – Scoliosis exercise Vs. Bracing, which is best?

Posted on August 3, 2018 by - Blog

Today the two main methodologies involved in the non-surgical treatment of scoliosis are Bracing, and Specialist exercise methodologies. In most cases we use both approaches throughout the course of treatment with our patients since both approaches have their strengths. We are however, often asked which treatment methodology is best – so let’s consider the latest research on this question.

 

Bracing vs Exercise – New research

The first thing to realise when comparing scoliosis treatment is that while many patients often want to know “which is best”, this question is often less explored in the scientific literature. For the most part, scoliosis practitioners want to focus their time and attention towards improving their methodologies of choice, rather than on making comparisons with other approaches. Because of this, few studies have tried to directly compare bracing and exercise approaches – although a recent 2017 study has done just this[1].

In the study conducted in China, 53 patients (age of 10 – 17 years, Cobb angle ≥ 20 – 40 degrees,) were randomly assigned to either a bracing group or exercise group. Twenty-four patients (19 females) were placed in the bracing group and 29 patients (22 females) in the exercise group.

Patients in the bracing group were provided with a rigid thoracolumbosacralorthosis (a Scoliosis brace – TSLO) and asked to wear their brace 23 hours a day, while patients in the exercise group were treated with the Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis (SEAS) protocol. Data regarding angle of trunk inclination, Cobb angle, shoulder balance, body image, quality of life (QoL)[2] were collected every 6 months.

At the first visit, patients assigned to the bracing group were prescribed with a rigid (TLSO) and received an initial pre-treatment evaluation to allow for brace fabrication. To achieve optimum correction, patients were invited to the scoliosis clinic to check the fit and modify (if necessary) the brace after the first month of intervention and then every three months as recommended by SOSORT[3].

The SEAS patients took part in a session of 1.5 hours at which they learned and practiced the core content of their program every two to three months, in which they learnt their personalised exercise protocol. The patients continued treatment at the clinic once a week (40 minutes) plus one daily exercise session at home (10-15 minutes)[4].

 

 

Study Results

At this stage, it’s important to mention that while this study represents an important beginning in this comparative project, the results available at this time reflect only a year of treatment. It is likely that the trends illustrated here will hold good over a longer period, and thankfully we will be able to verify this since the study is still ongoing.

 

Cobb angle 

A 54 Degree Cobb angle (X-ray)

The bracing group achieved a significantly larger reduction in Cobb angle – at 6 months, the mean reduction of cobb angle in the bracing group was 3.13 degrees, and at 12 months the mean reduction was 5.88 degrees.  In the exercise group, the 6 months mean reduction was just 0.66 degrees, and at 12 months was 2.24 degrees.[5]

 

Quality of Life

The SRS-22 form used for gauging quality of life factors consists of a number of subsets of data, each of which was individually evaluated during this study. These include a score for pain, function, mental health and self-image. Taken as a whole, the results showed that for the bracing group, the SRS functional score (a measure of the impact of scoliosis on everyday life) as well as the total score (a broader measure of quality of life factors) all showed significant improvement between the initial consultation and 12-month evaluation as well as between the 6-month and 12-month evaluations.  The one exception to this was pain level, which did not differ significantly across the three evaluations.

The researchers also noticed that self-image was significantly improved in the bracing group, especially at the 12 months follow up, this was interesting given the negative self-image association which is sometimes linked to bracing.  Participants did report an increase in their overall satisfaction levels (taking all factors into account), although this was most apparent after passing the 6-month mark.

For the exercise group, all the SRS-22 quality of life subsets showed a slightly larger improvement across the three visits than bracing – especially in terms of the functional score. The exception here again was pain, where no significant change was detected[6].

 

 

Overall comparison

In comparing the two treatment groups, the study investigators noted it was interesting to find that the overall improvement of quality of life was more significant in the exercise group. Although the quality of life scores improved in both groups, at all three visits, the average scores of most subsets in the SRS-22 were higher in the exercise group.  By contrast, the improvement in cobb angle was significantly greater in the bracing group, although the exercise group did also show an improvement at the 12-month mark.

 

 

So which is better?

At this stage, it seems fair to suggest that the results of the study reflect what many scoliosis clinicians are already aware of – Scoliosis Bracing is by far the most effective way to reduce a cobb angle – Indeed, the authors note how “There is no doubt that bracing has proven efficacy in halting the progressive nature of the deformity and reducing the need for surgery”.

At the same time, scoliosis specific exercise has a more positive impact on functional capacity – this comes as no surprise to scoliosis practitioners, since scoliosis specific exercise is intended to reduce muscular imperfections and promote better everyday posture. Exercise approaches also seem to correlate with a greater improvement in quality of life factors than bracing, although this is also to be expected since it is almost universally accepted that any form of exercise serves to boost quality of life in most individuals.

Taking these two points, its easy to see how a combination approach is often the best possible option – by pursuing both treatment methodologies it is possible to achieve functional improvement, cobb angle correction and an improvement in quality of life in a flexible way which works for the patient.

More results from this particular study, as well as further research can be expected in this area and we will report it to you as soon as it becomes available!

 

scolibrace results

An example of successfull bracing with ScoliBrace

 

 

[1] Yu Zheng, MD PhD et al. Whether orthotic management and exercise are equally effective to the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Mainland China? – A randomized controlled trial study SPINE: An International Journal for the study of the spine [Publish Ahead of Print]

[2] The SOSORT SRS-22 Form was used for this data collection.

[3] Negrini S, Aulisa AG, Aulisa L, et al. 2011 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis 2012;7:3.

[4] Romano M, Negrini A, Parzini S, et al. SEAS (Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis):a

modern and effective evidence based approach to physiotherapic specific scoliosis exercises. Scoliosis 2015;10:3.

[5] Yu Zheng, MD PhD et al. Whether orthotic management and exercise are equally effective to the patients with adolescent

idiopathic scoliosis in Mainland China? – A randomized controlled trial study SPINE: An International Journal for the study of the spine [Publish Ahead of Print]

[6] Yu Zheng, MD PhD et al. Whether orthotic management and exercise are equally effective to the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Mainland China? – A randomized controlled trial study SPINE: An International Journal for the study of the spine [Publish Ahead of Print]

Scoliosis bracing is becoming more effective

Posted on July 27, 2018 by - Blog

For some time now, scoliosis clinicians have broadly accepted the view that scoliosis bracing is an effective way to halt the progression of scoliosis, and (with the use of the correct brace) is also an effective way to reduce the curve.

The outlook for bracing was not always a positive as it is today – historically, studies suggested that bracing was only as effective as observation. Over time however, research has tended to show bracing to be more effective than was once thought, so that today the rates of success with bracing are very high.

In 2005, the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) attempted to standardize the inclusion criteria and outcome measurements for bracing studies, to enable comparison among studies. In the guidelines, it was suggested that a curve progression of less than 5 degrees should be regarded as success. At the time, SRS did not even consider that bracing might actually serve to improve a curve – although it was quickly realised that this was possible. For this reason, the criteria for “improvement” (being a reduction of curve of at least 6 degrees) was established in 2009.

Despite some scepticism in the mid 2000’s however, some bracing studies today have demonstrated rates of surgery prevention as high as 100%[1][2] and the field is one of the major areas of study and advancement – so what caused such an improvement in the prognosis?

 

Braces are getting better

scoliosis braces

Scoliosis braces have come a long way!

One of the major reasons for the improvement in bracing effectiveness has been the improvement in braces themselves.  A recent review study conducted in 2016, attempted to explore this issue by examining 53 studies published between 1990 and 2016[3]. It showed that when comparing the percentage of patients eventually requiring surgery and the improvement rate in the past 26 years, we find that there is a trend towards reduction in surgical rate and an increase in improvement rate. Yet, close inspection showed that the change is strongly related to the type of brace used.

Key factors in bracing outcome are the amount of in-brace correction and comfort for the wearer. In the study, it was shown that large in-brace correction in excess of 50% would be accompanied by improvement at skeletal maturity[4][5] and hours of brace wear are positively associated with the rate of treatment success[6]. Simply put, an active correction brace which is also comfortable to wear is a key factor in significantly reducing surgical requirement[7]. This is why so much effort has been expended in ensuring that our ScoliBrace is the most comfortable brace available!

The study also showed that the effectiveness of a brace depended on the quality of its construction, not just its design[8]. In 2007 Danielsson et al pointed out the importance of the skill and dedication of the orthotist in creating a brace as a critical factor in the eventual success of treatment and similar views have been forwarded by other authors[9]. Today, advancements in technology mean that a higher quality of brace design and manufacture than ever before is available to us. Indeed, at the UK scoliosis clinic we use the latest laser scan and computer aided manufacture processes to create a brace for each client, which fits their needs perfectly.

 

Combination treatment is most effective

Today we also appreciate that in most instances an individualised treatment plan based on a number of complementary methods provides the best chance for a significant reduction of the curve. In fact, today it is generally accepted that bracing should not be employed alone in the management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis in particular – instead individualised scoliosis specific exercises should also be incorporated. This is because Scoliosis specific exercises improve the muscle strength of the trunk and the postural awareness of the patients. More importantly perhaps, when combined with bracing, evidence suggests the results are an improvement in curve reduction[10]. Properly tailored exercise programs may also help to reduce the loss of correction which frequently accompanies the end of brace treatment if not properly managed.[11]

 

Scoliosis clinicians are working hard to improve bracing technology.

scolibrace

Modern scoliosis braces are highly effective

At the UK scoliosis clinic, we respect and value the work that surgeons can do in correcting very serious cases of scoliosis which are unsuitable for conservative treatment. However, the 2016 review study has suggested that a conflict of interest in bracing development might be a negative factor for patients[12].

One of the lest effective forms of brace is the Boston brace – yet these are often favoured by orthopaedic surgeons (especially in the US)[13]. The Boston brace is at least outdated, and in some situations may complicate scoliosis treatment unnecessarily. Boston braces also encourage thoracic flat back, which has been shown to be detrimental to the correction of curves[14].

Why are these braces sometimes favoured then?  –  This maybe because in the event that the brace fails to achieve the objective, the surgeon can go on to treat the patient using surgery, although this might not be the patient’s preference. Conversely, the kinds of modern braces we use at our clinic and which are widely implemented throughout Europe today are predominantly used by physicians who treat patients conservatively. In this instance, failure of the brace requires an external referral for surgical treatment[15] – hence it is in the interest of non-surgical clinics to constantly develop and improve their braces, which results in highly advanced modern braces, like ScoliBrace.

 

 

 

 

[1] De Giorgi S, Piazzolla A, Tafuri S, Borracci C, Martucci A, De Giorgi G. Chêneau brace for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: long-term results. Can it prevent surgery? Eur Spine J.2013;22(6):S815–22.

[2] Aulisa AG, Guzzanti V, Perisano C, Marzetti E, Falciglia F, Aulisa L.Treatment of lumbar curves in scoliotic adolescent females with progressive action short brace: a case series based on the Scoliosis Research Society Committee Criteria. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2012;37(13):E786-E791.

[3] Wing-Yan CHAN, Shu-Yan NG, Tsz-Ki HO, Yin-Ling NG (2016) Bracing – Halting Progression or Improving Curves in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. J Rheumatol Arthritic Dis 1(1): 1-8.

[4] Landauer F, Wimmer C, Behensky H. Estimating the final outcome of brace treatment for idiopathic thoracic scoliosis at 6-month follow-up.

[5] Appelgren G, Willner S. End Vertebra Angle – A roentgenographic method to describe a scoliosis. A follow-up study of idiopathic scoliosis treated with the Boston brace. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1990;15(2):71- 74.

[6] A large number of studies are cited in Wing-Yan CHAN, Shu-Yan NG, Tsz-Ki HO, Yin-Ling NG (2016) Bracing – Halting Progression or Improving Curves in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. J Rheumatol Arthritic Dis 1(1): 1-8.

[7] Wiley JW, Thomson JD, Mitchell TM, Smith BG, Banta JV. Effectiveness of the Boston brace in treatment of large curves adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine. 2000;25(18):2326–2332.

[8] Rigo MD, Villagrasa M, Gallo. A specific scoliosis classification correlating with brace treatment: description and reliability. Scoliosis. 2010;5(1):1. doi:10.1186/1748-7161-5-1.

[9] For example see Rowe DE, Bernstein SM, Riddick MF, Adler F, Emans JB, Gardner- Bonneau D. Ameta-analysis of the efficacy of non-operative treatments for idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1997;79(5):664-674.

[10] Monticone M, Ambrosini E, Cazzaniga D, Rocca B, Ferrante S. Active self-correctionand task-oriented exercises reduce spinal deformity and improve quality of life insubjects with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Results of a randomized controlled trial. Eur Spine J. 2014;23(6):1204-14. doi:10.1007/s00586-014-3241-y.

[11] Goldberg CJ, Dowling FE, Hall JE, Emans JB. A statistical comparison between natural history of idiopathic scoliosis and brace treatment in skeletally immature adolescent girls. Spine. 1993;18(7):902-9088.

[12] Wing-Yan CHAN, Shu-Yan NG, Tsz-Ki HO, Yin-Ling NG (2016) Bracing – Halting Progression or Improving Curves in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. J Rheumatol Arthritic Dis 1(1): 1-8.

[13] Wynne JH. The Boston brace and TriaC system. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol2008; 3(3):130-135. doi:10.1080/17483100801903988.

[14] Wing-Yan CHAN, Shu-Yan NG, Tsz-Ki HO, Yin-Ling NG (2016) Bracing – Halting Progression or Improving Curves in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. J Rheumatol Arthritic Dis 1(1): 1-8.

[15] Ibid.

Is bracing an effective treatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis? BRAIST study says yes!

Posted on July 9, 2018 by - Blog

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is characterized by a lateral curvature of the spine, with a Cobb angle of more than 10 degrees and vertebral rotation. Scoliosis develops in approximately 3% of children younger than 16 years of age, although rates of Scoliosis are typically much higher amongst at-risk groups such as dancers and gymnasts.  Curves larger than 50 degrees are typically associated with a high risk of continued worsening throughout adulthood and thus are most likely to be recommended for a surgical procedure.[1]

Scolibrace

Our Scolibrace is comfortable, effective and low-profile

Treatment with rigid bracing (thoracolumbosacral orthosis or TLSO) is the most common non-surgical treatment for the prevention of curve progression. There are many different brace designs, but with all of them, the objective is to restore the normal contours and alignment of the spine while preventing scoliosis progression. The most effective designs (like our Scolibrace system) seek to deliver superior outcomes by providing active correction of the curve.

But is bracing effective?  – Today you’ll still find some practitioners who are unclear on the outcomes you can expect from bracing. This is because although historical studies of bracing in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis had suggested that bracing decreases the risk of curve progression.[2] in some of these earlier studies results were inconsistent, the studies were observational, and only one prospective study enrolled both patients who underwent bracing and those who did not.[3] Thus, for some time the effect of bracing on curve progression and rate of surgery was unclear. This all changed thanks to the Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial (BRAIST), which finally determined the effectiveness of bracing – as compared with observation – in preventing progression of the curve to 50 degrees or more.

The BRAIST study was a large-scale endeavour, conducted in 25 institutions across the United States and Canada. Enrolment began in March 2007.  The target population for this study was patients with high-risk adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who met current indications for brace treatment – specifically this meant an age of 10 to 15 years, skeletal immaturity and a Cobb angle for the largest curve of 20 to 40 degrees.[4] To be eligible, patients could not have received previous treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

 

Methods

During the BRAIST study, patients in the observation group received no specific treatment, whereas patients in the bracing group received a rigid brace, prescribed to be worn for a minimum of 18 hours per day. Participating centres prescribed the type of brace used in their normal clinical practice. Wear time was determined by means of a temperature logger embedded in the brace and programmed to log the date, time, and temperature every 15 minutes. A temperature of 28.0°C (82.4°F) or higher[5] indicated that the brace was being worn.

Both patients and clinicians were aware of the assigned treatment. However, all radiographic (x-ray) evaluations and outcome determinations which were made at the conclusion of the study were performed by experts without knowledge of the treatment protocol, to avoid bias.

 

Results

During the study, a total of 146 patients (60%) received a brace, and 96 (40%) underwent observation only. The two study groups were generally similar with respect to baseline characteristics, except that the patients in the bracing group were slightly taller on average than those in the observation group (156.5 cm vs. 153.6 cm).

The results shown at the end of the study were conclusive – the rate of treatment success was 72% in the bracing group and 48% in the observation group. By contrast, the rate of treatment failure was only 25% with bracing, but 58% with observation alone.[6]

Therefore, given a large sample set and a study carried out across reputable institutions, it was determined that adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis who were considered to be at high risk for curve progression that would eventually warrant surgery, bracing was associated with a significantly greater likelihood of reaching skeletal maturity with a curve of less than 50 degrees, as compared with observation alone.

The study also showed a significant association between the average hours of daily brace wear and the likelihood of a successful outcome. These findings corroborate those of previous prospective observational studies, which have shown a significantly lower rate of surgery among patients who wore a brace than among those who were untreated[7]and a strong relationship between wear time and outcome.[8]

 

Our analysis

The BRAIST study is without a doubt one of the most important pieces of research which informs our work here at the clinic. Since we’re strongly committed to providing the latest, most up to date treatment methodologies available we welcome any and all research which can assist us in fine turning our approach to non-surgical scoliosis treatment.

BRAIST has shown conclusively that bracing is an effective way to treat scoliosis non-surgically, and also confirms a link between correctly prescribed wear time and positive outcomes. At the UK scoliosis clinic, we’re also committed to helping to find ways to treat the 25% of individuals who didn’t get the result they would have liked from the BRAIST study. One of the ways we do this is by offering what we believe is the best scoliosis bracing system available, the Scolibrace system – which is an active correction, individually customised brace designed for maximum correction. Since a variety of braces were used during this study, we hypothesise that the successful treatment figures could have been even higher if more modern concepts in brace design had been adopted for the study. You can learn more about scolibrace here.

 

[1] Weinstein SL, Ponseti IV. Curve progression in idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1983;65:447-455

[2] Dolan LA, Weinstein SL. Surgical rates after observation and bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: an evidence-based review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976;32:Suppl:S91-S100

Dolan LA, Weinstein SL. Best treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: what do current reviews tell us? In: Wright JG, ed. Evidence-based orthopaedics: the best answers to clinical questions. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2009.

Focarile FA, Bonaldi A, Giarolo MA, Ferrari U, Zilioli E, Ottaviani C. Effectiveness of nonsurgical treatment for idiopathic scoliosis: overview of available evidence. Spine (Phila Pa 1976;16:395-401

Lenssinck ML, Frijlink AC, Berger MY, Bierman-Zeinstra SM, Verkerk K, Verhagen AP. Effect of bracing and other conservative interventions in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents: a systematic review of clinical trials. Phys Ther 2005;85:1329-1339

Negrini S, Minozzi S, Bettany-Saltikov J, et al. Braces for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010;1:CD006850-CD006850

Rowe DE, Bernstein SM, Riddick MF, Adler F, Emans JB, Gardner-Bonneau D. A meta-analysis of the efficacy of non-operative treatments for idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1997;79:664-674

Screening for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. Rockville, MD: Preventive Services Task Force, June 2004 (http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsaisc.htm).

[3] Nachemson AL, Peterson LE. Effectiveness of treatment with a brace in girls who have adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a prospective, controlled study based on data from the Brace Study of the Scoliosis Research Society. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1995;77:815-822

Danielsson AJ, Hasserius R, Ohlin A, Nachemson AL. A prospective study of brace treatment versus observation alone in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a follow-up mean of 16 years after maturity. Spine (Phila Pa 1976;32:2198-2207)

[4] Richards BS, Bernstein RM, D’Amato CR, Thompson GH. Standardization of criteria for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis brace studies: SRS Committee on Bracing and Nonoperative Management. Spine (Phila Pa 1976;30:2068-2075)

[5] Dolan LA, Weinstein SL, Adams BS. Temperature as a diagnostic test for compliance with a thoracolumbosacral orthosis. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, Waikaloa, HI, May 3–7, 2010 (poster).

Helfenstein A, Lankes M, Ohlert K, et al. The objective determination of compliance in treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with spinal orthoses. Spine (Phila Pa 1976;31:339-344

[6] Stuart L. Weinstein, M.D., Lori A. Dolan, Ph.D., James G. Wright, M.D., M.P.H., and Matthew B. Dobbs, M.D. Effects of Bracing in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis N Engl J Med 2013; 369:1512-1521

DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1307337

[7] Danielsson AJ, Hasserius R, Ohlin A, Nachemson AL. A prospective study of brace treatment versus observation alone in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a follow-up mean of 16 years after maturity. Spine (Phila Pa 1976;32:2198-2207

[8] Katz DE, Herring JA, Browne RH, Kelly DM, Birch JG. Brace wear control of curve progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2010;92:1343-1352