By Dr. Anthony Pivonka D.C. – Head Scoliosis Clinician, ScoliCare East Phoenix Arizona

Braces for scoliosis have been available on mass since the 1950’s and since then a lot has changed! The first brace was the metal and leather Milwaukee Brace that went from the skull to the hips and stretched upward and pushed from side to side. Then in the 70’s came the Boston Brace, which was made of plastic and covered the entire torso. Then, in later decades, the Cheneau style braces came to be, but in general scoliosis bracing fell out of favor due to a lack of research in this space. More recently there has been a trend toward realization that bracing can be very effective in treating scoliosis, thanks to the publication of research that showed bracing can reduce the risk of progression of the curve to a surgical level (1).

2013 Scoliosis Bracing Study

In 2013 a prominent group of scoliosis researchers, headed by Dr. Stuart Weinstein, MD, published a study in the New England Journal of Medicine entitled, Effects of Bracing in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis. This study, now referred to as the BRAiST study, definitively concluded that scoliosis bracing was safe and very effective at treating Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Since this landmark study was published an explosion has occurred in the world of scoliosis bracing and new and better technologies have arisen. As a result, the conservative treatment of scoliosis and the outcomes have become better and better.

An Update on Modern Scoliosis Braces

With the explosion of technology, scoliosis brace design and manufacture has improved in leaps and bounds, however there can be massive variation in how each brace is made, often relying heavily on the skill of an orthotist. This orthotist may or may not specialize in scoliosis bracing, and there is often no guarantee that one brace prescription for a patient would be equally designed and made between orthotists. ScoliCare has invested in the use of a specialized approach to making scoliosis braces, the ScoliBrace®, using CAD/CAM software programs and finite element modeling from 3D laser scans of the patient. From there the braces are custom made for each patient in a centralized location, ensuring that potential errors are minimized. These improvements in technology have allowed our ScoliBrace® designers to model patients in their computer and try thousands of braces on a patient, finding a combination that can actually correct a scoliosis versus just stabilizing it.

ScoliBrace

At ScoliCare East Phoenix in Gilbert Arizona, (treating the South East Valley, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and Gilbert) we focus our practice on the prescription of one of the most technologically advanced scoliosis braces in the world, the ScoliBrace®. ScoliBrace® is a CAD/ CAM finite element modeled 3D over-corrective scoliosis brace. The ScoliBrace® treats the 3D problem of scoliosis with a 3D solution. Standard scoliosis braces may get between 30 to 50% reduction in scoliosis curves during an in-brace X-rays. ScoliBrace® routinely results in a 50 to 75% improvement of scoliosis curves in brace for adolescents In-brace correction can be a predictive factor to indicate the potential success of the brace in minimizing curve progression, potentially improving the curve as well as improving signs and symptoms of the patient.

To find out more about scoliosis bracing, visit our bracing page or call us on 480-892-0022.

1. Weinstein SL, Dolan LA, Wright JG, Dobbs MB. Effects of bracing in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. N Engl J Med. 2013 Oct 17;369(16):1512-21. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1307337. Epub 2013 Sep 19. PMID: 24047455; PMCID: PMC3913566.