Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: What Parents Should Know in PA

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis is a spinal deformity condition that accounts for the majority of scoliosis in teens and children. It causes inconveniences to a child’s daily life, but if left untreated, it can affect some of the organs in the body as they grow up.

As parents, it is your responsibility to find the best treatment options so that they can live a normal life moving forward.

Is Bracing Effective for My Child’s AIS?

Bracing is one of the widely known treatments for AIS, along with surgery and physical therapy. It is usually prescribed to patients who have at least a 25-degree angle of curvature according to the Cobb angle. According to a study by Dr. Stuart L. Weinstein, there is at least a 90% success rate for patients who use braces at least 13 hours daily.

Everything You Need to Know About Bracing

Although the doctor will discuss everything you and your child need to know about braces, it’s still better to research so assisting the child would be easier.

The Goal of Bracing

Without surgery, there is almost no other way to correct the scoliosis curve. But back braces can help prevent further progression of the curve so that it’s easier to manage. It is typically prescribed for teens who have a curve of at least a 25-degree angle.

Once the scoliosis curve reaches 40-degree angles, surgery would be the better option instead of bracing.

How it Works

Braces work by applying forces on the spine so that the concave part will release the load and the convex part will have more load. By exerting force on one side, it helps the other side of the spine to catch up with the growth.

The specific mechanisms of bracing are still unknown, but studies suggest that rigid braces are necessary to apply consistent pressure on the scoliosis curve.

Types of Spine Braces

Thanks to years of continuous research and medical breakthroughs, there are many kinds of back braces available in the market now. Most of them are different depending on how pressure is applied on the ribs and spine.

• Full-Time Braces

Also known as the Thoraco-lumbosacral orthosis (TLSO), these braces should be worn 16-23 hours a day. They are snug-fitting braces that start beneath the shoulders. They are also considered “low-profile” because they are unnoticeable under loose-fitting clothes.

Some of the common full-time braces are Boston Brace, Wilmington Brace, and Milwaukee Brace.

• Nighttime Braces

Compared to full-time braces, nighttime braces are only required to be worn for 8 to 10 hours while sleeping. These braces are designed to apply greater forces on the spine to make up for the time when braces were not worn during the day.

Another important thing to remember about nighttime braces is that they can only be used while laying down due to the lack of counterbalance in the mechanism that prevents walking and other movements. Some of the common nighttime braces include the Charleston Bending Brace and the Providence Brace.

Consider Bracing Treatment at Scoliosis Associates

Here at Scoliosis Associates, we have fifty years of experience when it comes to treating patients diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. We ensure that all our patients are receiving the highest level of care with the latest treatments.

For a comprehensive approach to your child’s adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, schedule a consultation with us now.