What Are The Benefit of Scoliosis Therapy?
Schroth & Bracing Outcome Sheet
Work with patients to custom-design a brace that will work to control and improve their curves and derotate their spine, enhance breathing points and avoid creating pressure points.
BENEFITS
Scoliosis is a deformity that must be corrected in all three planes to derotate and realign the spine by applying the corrective forces utilizing physics and the biomechanics of the spine. By derotating the spine, we are able to elongate without the use of distraction to reduce curve magnitude or Cobb Angle. It is important to understand the difference between symmetrical vs asymmetrical designs and the effect they have on correcting a 3D deformity.
Wood G., 2019 Relative Efficacy of Symmetrical, Semi-symmetrical and Asymmetrical Scoliosis Braces for Cobb Angle and 3D Correction of Idiopathic Scoliosis. Presented at Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) Conference 2019
By derotating the spine, we are able to elongate without the use of distraction to reduce curve magnitude or Cobb Angle. Your Orthotist and team at Align-Clinic will determine the curve type which guides the principles of the custom brace design to best improve the deformity of the spine. There are expansion areas built into the brace to allow dynamic correction of the spine. This enables the elongation of the shortened muscles on the concave side at the same time strengthening the lengthened muscles on the convex side to while wearing the brace. This is a higher level of technology that requires a WCR certified orthotist to properly fit and make adjustments.
Bracing in the Treatment of AIS: Evidence to date
Wood G. 2014. Brace Modifications That Can Result In Improved Curve Correction In Idiopathic Scoliosis. Scoliosis; 9(1):2.
Improvement of sagittal plane alignment and prevent flatback
The sagittal plane has often been ignored when treating scoliosis. This creates postural abnormalities and structural issues. Maintaining a normal lumbar lordotic curve is important in order to prevent a compensatory proximal curve and maintain full range of motion of the spine long-term. Reduction of the lumbar lordotic curve has been found to cause permanent reduction in range of motion of the spine. The normal degree range of kyphosis is 20-50 degrees and lordosis is 20-40 degrees. The WCR brace is fabricated to maintain the correct alignment and requires skillful WCR certified orthotists to fit each patient appropriately.
Wood G. 2016. Sagittal Plane Normalization Using CAD/CAM for Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis. Academy Today; 12(2).
Translations of the body created by the brace serve to properly balance the body. It is necessary to utilize a fixed point in order to realign the spine and obtain the correction of the three dimensional curve
The original classification according to Lehnert-Schroth. On the left the Three Curve Pattern with the shoulder, thoracic and lumbo-pelvic block deviated against each other in the frontal plane and also rotated against each other. On the right the Four Curves pattern with a separation of the lumbo-pelvic block into a lumbar and a pelvic block deviated against each other int frontal plane and also rotated against each other. per definition: the pelvic block symbolises the lumbosacral counter curve and this curve is defined as the 4th Curve.
Controls the proximal structural curve
The WCR brace is able to control and provide proper alignment of the spine. The brace is able to address the spine at a higher level, helping to correct and/or prevent a compensatory proximal curve. The WCR certified Orthotist evaluates the spine for its flexibility, understanding that by pushing too hard to obtain correction can create a new curve, thereby worsening the condition of the patient’s spine.
Wood G. 2014. Reversing Scoliosis and Brace Treatment of a Proximal Structural Curve. The O&P Edge; 13(3): 58-64
Prevent/improve rib deformation
The causes of rib deformation are when forces are placed on the spine due to the deformity or when the brace improperly places force on the ribs. This can affect pulmonary, circulatory and/or digestive function.
