Scoliosis Braces Treatment
Although scoliosis usually manifests itself in adolescence, it can also be found in children and adults. For adolescent and childhood scoliosis, scoliosis brace treatment is preferred when the curve is between 20-25 and 45 degrees. Scoliosis bracing is only used for certain angles of curve. For curves greater than 45 degrees, surgical treatment is usually used.
Can scoliosis be corrected with a brace?
It is important to remember that scoliosis cannot be completely corrected with a brace. In other words, can a brace correct scoliosis? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Even if the curve improves during the brace treatment, the curve will return after 24 hours when the brace is removed. However, the use of a brace allows the patient to maintain his or her current condition and prevents the progression of scoliosis. Braces and adjunctive treatments are used until skeletal development is complete to prevent progression of the curve. It is generally recommended that adolescents wear a brace for more than 20 hours when they reach the further stages of treatment. Although many orthopedists recommend a minimum of 18 hours per day, they say that the ideal duration of use is 23 hours.
Scoliosis brace treatment begins with diagnosis and progresses in stages. Scoliosis is usually diagnosed by observation and various imaging techniques. In adults, in addition to observation, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used, depending on the severity of the case. For a case to be diagnosed as scoliosis, the curve must be more than 10 degrees. Curvatures of less than 10 degrees are not called scoliosis, but spinal asymmetry.
Degrees of Scoliosis
Mild scoliosis is a type of scoliosis in which the curvature of the vertebrae is between 10 and 20 degrees. It usually does not require treatment, but the patient should be evaluated periodically for possible progression. For these curvatures, scoliosis-specific exercises can be performed.
Moderate scoliosis is a type of scoliosis in which the curve is between 20 and 45 degrees and usually presents with mild symptoms in children and adolescents. Surgery is not preferred for this type of scoliosis. Usually, a brace is used until the skeleton continues to develop.
Severe scoliosis is when the curve is 45 degrees or more. At this point, surgery is preferred over brace treatment. Scoliosis surgery takes 3-4 hours on average.
If scoliosis is not treated, some problems may occur. Since a scoliosis whose progression is not stopped will affect the chest cage, shortness of breath and some heart disorders may be observed in the patient. In addition, progressive scoliosis can cause some cosmetic problems.
Advantages of a Scoliosis Brace
Patients with scoliosis use a brace to prevent their symptoms from worsening while they go about their daily lives. Scoliosis braces have advantages for these patients. Patients can comfortably wear these braces, which are usually worn under their clothes and are not visible from the outside. The braces produced today are very comfortable and convenient compared to the old models.
When considering surgery, an early-diagnosed scoliosis patient may be able to stop the progression of the disease with a back brace; therefore, surgical treatment is usually not necessary. In addition, since scoliosis leads to possible heart and lung problems, such possible conditions are also prevented by stopping the progression of the disease.
Harms of Scoliosis Braces
Since the subject is related to a condition that is not often heard of, it is natural for people to be afraid and do research such as harms of scoliosis braces. A brace is used for moderate and in some cases, depending on the doctor’s opinion, mild to severe scoliosis. Unlike other braces, the scoliosis brace is made to put pressure on some parts of the back. Therefore, you may experience some discomfort in your back, especially at the beginning of your scoliosis treatment.
Also, in some cases, various skin rashes may occur. These rashes usually disappear within 30 minutes of removing the braces. If the rash does not go away, you should see your doctor and have the brace adjusted.
During use, you may experience some soreness where the brace pinches. Massaging with alcohol is a good way to prevent this. This thickens the skin in that area and the pressure will not cause soreness.
Scoliosis braces do not cause shortness of breath.
Scoliosis Braces Prices
Today, the price of a scoliosis brace can be as important as the treatment itself. It is appropriate that these medical devices, which patients will use throughout the treatment process, are custom made. Although the same materials are generally used, prices of scoliosis braces should be determined individually because different types of braces and treatment methods can be used depending on the severity of the case. It is very important for the treatment process to prefer the scoliosis braces that your doctor will recommend individually as a result of the tests.
Scoliosis Braces for Children
Although it usually manifests itself in adolescence, scoliosis is also a serious risk for children. It is particularly common in girls. For girls between the ages of 10 and 13 or boys between the ages of 9 and 12, who are in the early growth phase, early diagnosis is very important. Otherwise, as they grow very fast during this period, the disease can progress significantly. Children may have no symptoms. However, in some cases, mild pain is a good sign to see a doctor.
The disease is usually diagnosed using a standing test. In this test, the feet are placed together. The hands are joined so that the palms of the joined hands are clasped together and the fingers of the joined hands are pointing down, with the fingers pointing toward the center of each foot. If one side of the back of the person bending in this position is about 1 cm higher or lower, the person is diagnosed with scoliosis by the doctor along with some other tests. The use of a scoliosis brace in children depends on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, only observation is recommended, while in moderate cases, the use of a back brace is usually necessary.
Scoliosis Braces for Adults
Adults usually have degenerative scoliosis. This is a form of scoliosis associated with aging. However, it can also be a previously undetected and advanced childhood scoliosis. It is called adult scoliosis because the diagnosis is made after skeletal growth is complete (in adulthood).
Scoliosis bracing is generally not recommended for adults. Scoliosis bracing is used in adolescents and children to stop the progression of the disease. The most commonly used type is the Boston brace. This brace is not recommended for adults because it is designed to limit the movement of the spine. While some of the negative situations it can cause can be overcome during growth periods, this is not possible in adults. At the same time, the idea of an adult wearing a brace all day does not seem comfortable to patients. For this reason, supportive treatments are usually used for moderate to mild adult scoliosis.
Conservative treatment is usually used to treat adult scoliosis. This is a treatment in which the patient is closely monitored. However, over-the-counter painkillers may be used to relieve the patient’s existing mild pain. Along with pain medication, the doctor may also recommend some exercises to maintain the patient’s current condition and health. These include postural exercises and gentle exercises such as swimming.
In some cases of adult scoliosis, supportive treatments and simple pain medications are not enough. In this case, the doctor may resort to surgery. However, this is not the preferred option. There are risks during and after surgery. Therefore, surgery is considered a last resort.
