The Decision to Brace
Susan Myers was diagnosed with scoliosis in 1973. Her doctor tracked her curve progression by hand. As he put up each new x-ray, she would feel frightened as she did not know how large the curve would grow. Eventually, she was given the option to use a scoliosis brace in order to avoid surgery. She decided that bracing was the best decision for her.
The Milwaukee brace was the standard brace at the time, with a neck ring with a throat pads as well as a pelvic girdle and metal bars in front as well as behind. “My dad said that it built character in me,” Susan said.
In 9th grade, her doctor fitted her for a brace. The first two weeks were the hardest for her to get used to the brace and to keep the brace from pulling her hair, she needed to braid it back.
She wore her brace for 23 hours a day, even on the days it rubbed. She enjoyed the one hour she was able to take it off. Despite the amount of time, the brace never stopped her from doing activities she wanted to do. She remembers having to take extra time going down stairs and adapting to her restricted movement. She also recalls getting her driver’s license and doing normal things.
Most importantly, Susan’s friends and family were committed to help her be successful wearing the brace. “It was the necessary thing to keep that spine from moving more,” Susan said.
A New Style of Brace
When Susan was in 11th grade the Boston low profile brace was introduced to her. She was excited about the new brace and she got used to the straps behind her back. The brace became like a security blanket for her and she wore it when she went to college.
Despite Susan’s success with the Boston brace, our orthotist, KC Wheeler, showed Susan the new Rigo Cheneau style braces that she makes at the Hey Clinic. Susan found that they fit like a hug. The Rigo Cheneau brace is made with a light-weight thin plastic, which allows for a lower profile design that can be more comfortable than the Boston brace.
In addition, the Boston Brace targets only the Cobb angle of a curve, whereas the Rigo Cheneau addresses the Cobb angle and rotation of the spine, thereby providing better curve control.
Susan’s curve dropped 10 degrees at first and then stabilized out into low 20’s . Their goal was for her curve to stay under 29 degrees and it did. Curves under 30 degrees at skeletal maturity are unlikely to progress into adulthood, according to the Weinstein study.
If you would like to receive more information on bracing options for treating scoliosis, call or make an appointment with one of Hey Clinic’s spine specialists today!
