ScoliBrace is only available through trained providers and certified clinics worldwide

A new era of bracing is here for scoliosis & kyphosis treatment

ScoliBrace for kids and teens may achieve curve reduction, while improving the overall appearance of the body

Our Clinic

Action Sports Chiropractic of San Diego, CA is a Sports Medicine and Family Wellness Clinic dedicated to helping adults, children, and athletes of all ages and professions function at their best. Whether you’re experiencing the effects of scoliosis, hyperkyphosis, chronic pain, or fresh injuries, we’re ready to provide a personalized approach to your care. We utilize a multidisciplinary approach to care through soft tissue mobilization, specific rehab exercises, bracing, taping techniques and more.

Our Approach

We believe in taking a dynamic, active approach to care while assisting your body through the healing process.

We aim to provide the best possible conservative, non-surgical scoliosis and hyper-kyphosis bracing care possible through innovative and research backed techniques, bracing protocols and integrated mutlidisciplinary, multimodal therapies

Our Team

Dr. Katrina Hackett, DC, is a specialist in sports injury rehabilitation with a focus on an active, integrated approach to care. Dr. Hackett strives to not only address the evident pain, but also to identify, improve, and educate each individual patients about the hidden contributing factors and imbalances that can prolong discomfort, prevent freedom of movement, and impair ideal development and performance. She is not only a ScoliBrace provider, but a true believer as the mother of a ScoliBrace user!

ScoliBrace

ScoliBrace is a unique bracing method creating truly custom made 3D spinal braces for patients with scoliosis and kyphosis. Every brace is custom made for the individual by a dedicated design team and Computer Aided Design and Manufacture and then shipped to our clinic in San Diego, CA.

Who can benefit from ScoliBrace?

Children with
scoliosis

ScoliBrace can be used in the treatment of infantile and juvenile idiopathic scoliosis cases and may reduce curves, as well as improve body cosmetics

Adolescents
with scoliosis

ScoliBrace can be used in the treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) cases and may reduce curves, as well as improve cosmetics with reduced rib humping, more level shoulders, and more symmetrical waist

Adults
scoliosis

ScoliBrace can be used in the treatment of adult scoliosis cases and may slow or stop worsening of curves, reduce pain, improve cosmetics and body symmetry and promote better spine balance helping with fall prevention

Kyphosis
Sufferers

KyphoBrace can be used in the treatment of kyphosis cases and may not only hold progression, but also reduce the kyphosis curve and improve the posture and cosmetic appearance of the patient

ScoliBrace Options

The ScoliBrace range offers treatment solutions
for a wide range of curve sizes, ages and conditions.

A ScoliBrace is a corrective brace. It works by guiding the body and spine into a posture that is the opposite of how the scoliosis is shaped.

Curve reduction may be achieved, while improving the overall appearance of the body.

This type of ScoliBrace can be used in the treatment of AIS, Juvenile, Infantile and some Neuromuscular curves.

KyphoBrace is a specialised kyphosis brace, which may not only hold progression, but also reduce the kyphosis curve.

This brace has the benefit of being low profile, so is hardly visible under clothing.

KyphoBrace can be used in the treatment of Scheuermann’s Kyphosis, Hyper Kyphosis,Thoracolumbar Kyphosis & Anterior Sagittal Balance.

ScoliNight is most effective as an early intervention in small curves in younger patients.

The goal is to stop progression during growth rather than waiting until a scoliosis is so big it requires full time bracing

Night time only wear can enhance compliance in younger children.

An Adult ScoliBrace can be prescribed for both pre-existing and degenerative adult scoliosis.

Adult scoliosis patients may only need to wear the brace part -time each day to get significant pain relief and postural correction.

Most ScoliBrace’s designed for adults are low profile designs, that are nearly invisible under clothing.

Successful patient case examples

Successful patient Kyphosis case using KyphoBrace

Successful patient adult degenerative case with ScoliBrace

Successful patient infantile scoliosis case with ScoliBrace

Successful patient adolescent idiopathic scoliosis case with ScoliBrace

Contact us for a ScoliBrace Assessment

Action Sports Chiropractic & Family Wellness

10054 Mesa Ridge Court Suite 116

San Diego, CA 92121



(858) 256 - 6401



Action Sports Chiropractic

Contact Us

10054 Mesa Ridge Court Suite 116 San Diego, CA 92121 United States

Action Sports Chiropractic
10054 Mesa Ridge Court Suite 116
San Diego, CA 92121
United States
(858) 256-6401

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Postural improvement, improved mobility and reduced pain in a female patient
with de novo degenerative scoliosis using a ScoliBrace

Summary:

This case demonstrates the successful management of a patient with de novo degenerative scoliosis. The patient presented with a long history of back and leg pain which were interfering with her activities of daily living. The patient had a 51° (Cobb) left lumbar scoliosis with laterolisthesis and marked degenerative change throughout the lumbar spine. There were alterations to the normal lordosis and kyphosis angles, as well as coronal and sagittal plane misalignment.

The patient was prescribed a rigid, low-profile ScoliBrace orthosis to be worn each day on a part-time basis. The patient has been wearing the brace during the day for the past 10 months. Clinical and radiological findings from the most recent follow-up appointment indicate that the patient’s scoliosis has been stabilised and that the postural alignment has been improved. The patient reports that she now has less pain and has more mobility since wearing the brace.

Case Background

The 56-year-old female patient was referred to the clinic by her general practitioner. The patient had been diagnosed with scoliosis, on top of several pre-existing comorbid illnesses, 18 months prior. The patient reported that she had been experiencing significant pain for the past 10 years.

The patient lived on an isolated property and reported that she was having increasing difficulty walking around on the steep terrain. The pain that she was experiencing was also disrupting her sleep. The patient was no longer working due to back pain and could only perform limited house work because of her condition. Standing or walking for any length of time would also cause the patient to experience severe pain. Financial and geographic constraints prohibited the patient from being able to receive regular care or attend therapeutic exercise/rehabilitation classes.

Examination Findings

A detailed history and physical examination were performed. The pertinent findings from the history included a compression fracture at L3 two years prior which had prompted a bone mineral density assessment.

The patient had been classified as osteopenic based on findings from a DEXA scan. The patient had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), asthma, Raynaud’s disease, scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), temporal lobe epilepsy and varicose veins in the pelvis. Significant degenerative change in the mid-lumbar spine had caused the patient several bouts of radiculopathy and lower limb neuropathy for which she had received previous facet injections and radio-ablation therapy. The patient denied any family history of scoliosis and was not aware of the presence of any spinal deformity when she was younger.

The patient had been fitted with a pacemaker at age 31. The referral letter sent by the patient’s GP listed 21 different prescription medications. The patient stated that one or more of these medications was causing her to be chronically constipated for the past four years. The patient also reported that she was a smoker.

The physical examination revealed anterior sagittal balance and right coronal imbalance in the postural assessment. There was an increased waist curve on the right, decreased lumbar lordosis and evidence of spinal curvature in the lumbar spine (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Posteroanterior postural photograph (Left), Lateral postural photograph (Right).

Physical examination revealed a generalised decrease in the lumbar range of motion with left lumbar lateral flexion markedly reduced. The Adams forward bend test produced humping in the left paraspinal soft tissues. There was no evidence of pelvic, sacral, or lower limb deformity. The patient’s neurological exam was unremarkable.

The patient had brought several forms of diagnostic imaging to the initial consultation. Plain films taken 10 months prior portrayed a 38° (Cobb) left lumbar scoliosis (Apex L2). Laterolisthesis was noted at L3/4 and significant spondylosis from L2-L5 (Figure 2).

The most recent films indicated that the patient’s scoliosis had progressed, now measuring 51° (Cobb). Computed tomography confirmed the findings from the x-ray and highlighted vacuum phenomena at L2/3 and L4/5 intervertebral disc levels.

The patient was diagnosed with a de novo degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

Figure 2: Posteroanterior spine x-ray highlighting a 38° (Cobb) left lumbar scoliosis taken 10 months prior to the initial consultation (Left), Recent posteroanterior full spine x-ray highlighting a 51° (Cobb) left lumbar scoliosis (Middle), Recent lateral lumbar x-ray (Right).

Intervention

The patient was prescribed a 3D customised, rigid, low-profile orthosis (ScoliBrace) designed to correct/stabilise the deformity in the lower spine. The brace was fitted three months after the initial consultation (Figure 3).

In-brace photos taken at the time of the brace fitting demonstrated a significant improvement in the patient’s sagittal and coronal postural balance. In-brace x-rays taken soon after the brace fitting appointment indicated a reduction in the patient’s scoliosis and an improvement in the sagittal balance (Figure 4). The patient was provided with instructions for donning and doffing and cleaning the orthosis. Brace wear was gradually increased by two hours each day up to the patient’s tolerance.

Figure 3: Posteroanterior in-brace postural photograph (Left), Lateral in-brace postural photograph (Right)

Figure 4: Posteroanterior in-brace x-ray with a 42° left lumbar scoliosis (Left),
Lateral in-brace x-ray highlighting an improvement sagittal balance (Right).

Outcomes

The patient attended a follow-up consultation one month after the brace fitting. The patient reported that overall the symptoms had been reduced by wearing the brace. The patient was reviewed again six months later. At this time, the patient stated that they were able to wear the brace for most of the day. The patient was still experiencing some pain but reported that their mobility was much improved in the orthosis.

The postural improvements displayed initially in-brace have been maintained (Figure 5) and the patient’s lumbar scoliosis has remained stable at 50° (Figure 6).

The patient is still under care and has been advised to continue with bracing during the day. To counteract the deconditioning that has occurred over the past decade, the patient has been instructed to begin performing some light exercise whilst wearing the brace.

The patient will be reviewed again in six months, but it is likely that she will be required to continue the current dosage of bracing indefinitely to preserve her current mobility. It is hoped that the brace will limit the progression of the degenerative changes that are associated with her scoliosis.

Figure 5: Posteroanterior postural photograph out-of-brace (Left),
Lateral postural photograph out-of-brace (Right)

Figure 6: Posteroanterior thoracic spine x-ray out-of-brace (Left), posteroanterior lumbopelvic x-ray out-of-brace highlighting a 50° left lumbar scoliosis (Middle) Lateral lumbar

Discussion

The subject of this case study represents a typical de novo degenerative scoliosis presentation. The condition affects the thoracic and/or lumbar spine causing varying degrees of deformity, back pain, radicular leg pain and activity limitation.

The symptoms experienced by the patient in this case had led to a progressive decline in functional capacity, with the patient being unable to work, exercise, perform home duties, or ambulate around the grounds of her property. The radiological findings in patients with adult spinal deformity are particularly telling, with alterations in coronal and sagittal balance being commonplace. This abnormal placement of the body’s centre of gravity leads to excessive energy expenditure when the patient stands or moves and is often associated with disabling pain.

Shifts in spinal alignment accelerate the degenerative process leading to postural collapse and eventual compromise of the neurovascular structures around the spine. Decreasing bone mineral density and the presence of comorbid illness in this population further complicates the situation. In fact, the health status of many patients in this group is such that surgery is no longer a viable treatment option. Instead, conservative treatment strategies such as bracing are used to improve spinal alignment and maintain quality of life.

The treatment outcomes in this case are fairly representative of the outcomes in the adult spinal deformity population. Postural alignment, in particular sagittal balance, has been improved by the brace, which has translated into better mobility and reduced pain in this patient. The scoliosis which had been progressing at a rapid rate prior to initiating treatment has also been stabilised as a result of the bracing regimens.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the successful management of a 56-year-old female patient with de novo degenerative scoliosis using a low profile ScoliBrace orthosis. The patient demonstrated good compliance with the brace and has experienced improvements in posture, mobility and pain.

NB: Results vary from case to case. Our commitment is to recommend the most appropriate treatment based on the patients type and severity of scoliosis.

Resolution of a moderate scoliosis in an
infant patient using a ScoliBrace

Summary:

This case demonstrates the successful resolution of a large scoliosis in a female infant using a rigid thoracolumbosacral orthosis. The infant presented with a 44° left, thoracolumbar curve that had been unresponsive to chiropractic treatment. The patient was prescribed a Scolibrace which she wore on a part-time basis for eight months.

The patient was supervised at all times during the wearing of the brace and the brace was only ever worn during the day. A follow-up assessment performed 23 months after the child first presented was unremarkable, with no evidence of scoliosis or postural asymmetry. The bracing regimen was relatively well-tolerated by the patient and her parents.

Case Background

The patient presented to the clinic at 11 weeks of age with a marked ‘C’ shaped scoliosis. The patient’s mother had noticed the curvature in her daughter’s spine soon after birth. The child had been delivered naturally, however the child had “gotten stuck” and support staff had needed to intervene. The child’s shoulder was dislocated at this time, and later relocated.

The mother had taken her daughter to the local chiropractor approximately 1.5 months after the birth for an assessment. The chiropractor had provided a short course of treatment and prescribed gentle bending exercises to help reduce the scoliosis. Unfortunately, the scoliosis had not responded to treatment and was referred to the clinic.

Examination Findings

The examination performed at the clinic revealed a single, large, left ‘C’ curve (Figures 1A & B). The patient also had difficulty turning their head to the right. The curve was very stiff with little correction during side-bending or traction.

The neurological exam was normal except for a slight reduction in the abdominal reflexes. X-rays ordered soon after confirmed the findings from the physical exam.

The single, left, thoracolumbar curve measured 44° Cobb with an apex at T11. The patient was diagnosed with infantile idiopathic scoliosis and was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon for an evaluation.

Figure 1: Postural photographs of the
infant at the time of the initial consultation

Figure 2: Frontal and lateral x-rays

Intervention

There was a long wait before the patient could be seen by the surgeon, and as a result the parents decided to start with conservative treatment. A ScoliBrace was prescribed (Figure 3) and the patient was advised to continue with the exercises that had been advised by the chiropractor. The patient was instructed to wear the brace for short periods of time at first and then build up the time wearing the brace up to a maximum of 8 hours.

The parents were advised that the brace was only to be worn under supervision, and only during the day. Eventually, the infant was seen by the orthopaedic surgeon who recommended physiotherapy. The parents however chose to continue with the bracing and exercise program.

Figure 3: Patient wearing the ScoliBrace orthosis

Outcomes

The patient wore the ScoliBrace on a part-time schedule for eight months. At the end of the bracing period, the child’s scoliosis had been reduced from 44° down to 7° (Figure 4). A follow-up examination was performed 23 months after the initial presentation. The angle of trunk rotation measured 0° at this time and there was no evidence of scoliosis or movement abnormalities.

The parents were very happy with the result and reported that, although challenging at times, the treatment was tolerated by the child.

Figure 4: Frontal x-ray taken after the patient
had been out of the brace for four months

Discussion

Infantile idiopathic scoliosis presents before the age of 3 years and is classified into two types - resolving and progressive.

Curves in patients with the resolving type tend to reduce spontaneously over time, whereas curves in patients with the progressive type continue to worsen leading to crippling deformity and reduced quality of life if not treated. There are x-ray markers that can be used to differentiate between the two types.

However, the difficult aspect for clinicians dealing with patients with idiopathic infantile scoliosis is that the two types can present identically in the initial stages. Observation is recommended as the initial action, however this can be challenging for parents and clinicians as they wait for a worsening in the patient’s deformity, which, may already be quite significant.

For patients with the progressive type of infantile scoliosis, the standard treatment involves placing the infant in a straightened position then applying a plaster cast. As the child grows, the casts are removed and replaced. This process is repeated, for years in some cases, until the scoliosis has been reduced. The casting process involves intubating and placing the infant under a general anaesthetic.

A surgeon, anaesthetist, nursing staff and a specialist table are required for the procedure, which takes approximately 90 minutes. While casting is successful in the management of most cases of infantile idiopathic scoliosis, there are concerns that the frequent exposure to anaesthetising agents may be damaging to the developing brain of the infant. Treatments such as bracing may represent a safer alternative, but further research is required in this area.

Conclusion

This case study demonstrates the successful management of a moderate infantile idiopathic scoliosis using a ScoliBrace orthosis.

NB: Results vary from case to case. Our commitment is to recommend the most appropriate treatment based on the patients type and severity of scoliosis.

Correction of a 33° thoracolumbar Scoliosis using a
ScoliBrace orthosis and Scoliosis Specific Rehabilitation

Summary:

This case details the correction of a moderate thoracolumbar scoliosis in a 13-year-old female patient using a ScoliBrace orthosis combined with scoliosis specific rehabilitation. The patient presented with a 33° thoracolumbar scoliosis (Risser 1-2), pain that was interfering with her quality of life, and altered self-image.

The patient was prescribed a rigid ScoliBrace to be wore full-time and advised to perform SEAS exercises and use the ScoliRoll orthosis daily. The patient wore the brace full-time for 17 months then on a part-time basis for a further 17 months. At the end of the treatment regimens the patient’s curve had been reduced to 10° and there was significant improvement in the aesthetic appearance of the trunk.

Case Background

The patient presented to the clinic at age 13 with a recent diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The patient was experiencing mild back pain and had noticed that her posture was asymmetrical.

The patient was involved with sport (ballet, dance and netball) four days per week on average.

Examination Findings

There was no family history of diagnosed scoliosis. The patient had begun her menses in the year proceeding her visit to the clinic.

The total score for the Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire (SRS-22r) was 3.18 with the lowest scores seen in the pain (2.8) and self-image (2.8) domains.On physical examination, an obvious spinal curvature with left coronal imbalance (Figure 1) was noted.

The Adam’s forward bend test was positive, with an associated angle of trunk rotation measuring 12° in the thoracolumbar region. Initial x-rays showed a 33° left thoracolumbar scoliosis (Figure 1). The patient was Risser 1-2.

Given the skeletal immaturity of the patient and the magnitude of the initial scoliosis, there was a high risk of progression in this case.

Figure 1: Posteroanterior thoracolumbar x-ray (Left), Posteroanterior postural
photograph (Middle), Adam’s forward bend test photograph (Right).

Intervention

The patient was subsequently prescribed a customised, three-dimensional, rigid, thoracolumbosacral orthosis [TSLO] (ScoliBrace) [Figure 2] and scoliosis specific rehabilitation. Full-time (23 hours per day) brace wear was recommended, however the patient was informed that they could wear the brace for as little as 20 hours per day provided they were participating in ballet, dance or netball on that day.

With regards to the rehabilitation component of the patient’s treatment program, the patient used the ScoliRoll orthotic device and performed exercises based on the Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis (SEAS) principles.

The ScoliRoll was also incorporated in the rehabilitation program and the patient was instructed to lie on the device daily for up to 20 minutes, with the peak of the device positioned at the apex of the thoracolumbar curvature (Figure 2). The concept behind this placement is to encourage movement at and around the apex of the patient’s primary curve. The patient also performed basic exercises on the ScoliRoll.

The SEAS exercises were performed under guidance in the clinic twice per week for 3 weeks, then once per month after that point. The patient was also instructed to perform the rehabilitation exercises and use the ScoliRoll daily. The exercises were progressed, with more difficult variations added, as the patient made improvements in strength and endurance.

Figure 2: Posteroanterior photograph of the patient wearing the ScoliBrace (Left),
Photograph of the patient side-lying on the ScoliRoll orthosis (Right).

Outcomes

In-brace plain films taken 1 month after the brace fitting demonstrated a significant reduction of the patient’s scoliosis – from 33° down to 13° (Figure 3).

Out-of-brace x-rays taken 3 months after the brace fitting showed a reduction of the scoliosis down to 26° (Figure 4). The patient continued full-time bracing for 17 months.

The brace was then worn only at night for another 17 months. The most recent x-rays demonstrate that the patient is Risser 4 and the scoliosis has been reduced by 23° over the course of the treatment (Figure 5).

The patient’s posture improved continuously during the treatment program, with minimal asymmetry observed at the most recent follow-up consultation (Figure 5).

Figure 3: Posteroanterior 1-month, in-brace x-ray (13° Cobb)

Figure 4: Posteroanterior 3-month, out-of-brace x-ray (26° Cobb)

Figure 5: Posteroanterior out-of-brace x-rays (32 months) [10° Cobb] (Right), Posteroanterior postural photograph (Left)

Discussion

Large scoliotic curves give rise to surface deformity such as rib humping and postural asymmetry. These physical changes can negatively impact on the quality of life of AIS patients. This was evident in this case with the patient reporting pain and altered self-image on the initial consultation. Moreover, curves measuring above 30° often contribute to pain, disability, functional limitation, reduced quality of life and pulmonary problems in adulthood.

For this reason, it is important to implement treatment strategies to stabilise and/or attempt to reduce clinically relevant curves as soon as they present in AIS patients.

Bracing is typically used to halt the progression of scoliosis in AIS patients with curves measuring >20°. For some patients, as highlighted by this case, bracing can be used to reduce abnormal curvatures and restore normal postural alignment. It is also common practice to combine physiotherapeutic scoliosis specific exercises and various forms of active and passive mobilisation techniques as adjuncts to the bracing therapy.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the reduction of a 33° thoracolumbar scoliosis using a custom designed three-dimensional scoliosis brace, in combination with a scoliosis specific rehabilitation program. This approach may be of benefit to AIS patients with moderate sized thoracolumbar curves.

NB: Results vary from case to case. Our commitment is to recommend the most appropriate treatment based on the patients type and severity of scoliosis.

Correction of a 61° Hyper-kyphosis
using a KyphoBrace Orthosis

Summary:

This case study details the correction of a hyper-kyphosis in a skeletally mature 16-year-old male. The patient’s primary reason for seeking treatment was pain, however he was also bothered by the abnormal aesthetics associated with his spinal deformity.

At the time of the initial consultation, the patient had a thoracic kyphosis angle measuring 61°, a small thoracolumbar scoliosis, and a small leg-length inequality. The patient was diagnosed with Scheuermann’s kyphosis and prescribed a rigid KyphoBrace orthosis and a 10 mm heel lift for the scoliosis and the leg length discrepancy.

The patient wore the orthosis for 25 months for 20 hours each day and was compliant with the use of the heel lift. Follow-up x-rays performed six months after the cessation of brace-wear revealed that the thoracic kyphosis angle had been reduced to 43°, which is within normal range based on the patient’s sex and age.

Case Background

A 16-year-old male patient was referred to the clinic by a local Chiropractor. The patient had been experiencing pain in the mid-back and poor posture for the past year. The patient had gone through a rapid growth spurt in the two years prior to the consultation at the clinic. The patient reported that he regularly played tennis, football and computer games.

Examination Findings

The patient rated his mid-back pain, on average, as 2/10 on a visual analogue scale but stated that the pain was aggravated by sitting in car seats for long periods of time and could be as high as 5/10 at times.

The patient’s main concern was the noticeable curvature in his back. The patient was otherwise healthy.

The physical examination revealed a significant increase in the patient’s normal thoracic kyphosis (Figure 1) with associated stiffness in this area. There was focal angulation observed in the thoracic spine during the Adam’s forward bending test.

There was a small left curvature in the thoracolumbar spine that was noted along with an apparent leg length discrepancy. There were no other significant clinical findings. A working diagnosis of Scheuermann’s kyphosis was made and plain films were requested. The patient was Risser 5. A 61° hyper-kyphosis was noted with an apex at the T7/8 intervertebral disc level with no significant changes in vertebral body height (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Lateral full spine x-ray (left), Lateral postural photograph (middle), Adam’s forward bend (right).

Intervention

A specialised brace for the treatment of hyper-kyphosis (called a KyphoBrace [Figure 2]), was prescribed to aid in the reduction and stabilization of the patient’s spinal deformity.

It was recommended that the orthosis be worn for a minimum of 20 hours per day for a 24-month period. The patient was also prescribed a 10 mm heel lift for correction of the thoracolumbar scoliosis. (Note: The patient is not wearing a heel lift in Figure 2).

Figure 2: Lateral in-brace photograph (left) Anteroposterior in-brace photograph (middle),
posteroanterior in-brace photograph (right).

Outcomes

The orthosis was well-tolerated by the patient, and he reported that he was compliant with the prescribed hours of bracing.

In-brace x-rays taken at the 3-month mark, demonstrated that the patient’s kyphosis had been reduced from 61° down to 47° (Figure 3 [Left]). Out-of-brace plain films taken 4 months into the treatment program highlighted that the curve was 48° (Figure 3 [Right]).

Figure 3: Three-month lateral in-brace x-ray highlighting
a 47° kyphosis (Left), Four-month lateral out-of-brace x-rays
demonstrating a 48° kyphosis (Right).

The patient continued to wear the brace for 25 months in total. Plain films taken 6 months after the cessation of brace wear revealed that the patient’s kyphosis had remained stable in the short-term at 43° (a reduction of 19° from the initial presentation) [Figure 4].

Figure 4: Plain film lateral x-rays taken 6 months after the
cessation of brace wear. The kyphosis measured 43° at this time.

Discussion

The mean physiological curve in the thoracic spine measures 33° (±2 standard deviations = 20-50°)¹ in adolescents and is influenced by age, gender, height, weight and genetic factors.

The thoracic kyphosis increases in size and stiffness as we age. This is in part due to changes in muscle tone, effects of occupational or habitual postures, changes in vertebral body shape, and bone mineral density.

It is therefore, important to manage cases of hyper-kyphosis in adolescent patients so as to minimise the effect of the natural deterioration that occurs with age. Furthermore, deleterious changes in the sagittal balance can result in pain, poor function, low self-image and decreased quality of life.

There is evidence to suggest that bracing is an effective treatment for patients with hyper-kyphosis. The best results from bracing are observed when treatment is initiated in skeletally immature patients who have curvatures of between 55-80°.

This case is unique in the sense that the patient had already transitioned through the period of peak growth velocity and was Risser 5 at the initiation of treatment. Despite this, a significant correction was still achieved, which resulted in the patient’s kyphosis being shifted from a pathological curvature to normal range kyphosis angle for the patient’s age.

Conclusions

This case demonstrates that the KyphoBrace may be used to stabilise/reduce hyper-kyphosis in adolescent patients.

References:

Boseker, E.H., et al., Determination of "normal" thoracic kyphosis: a roentgenographic study of 121 "normal" children. J Pediatr Orthop, 2000. 20(6): p. 796-8.

NB: Results vary from case to case. Our commitment is to recommend the most appropriate treatment based on the patients type and severity of scoliosis.

A new era of bracing is here for scoliosis & kyphosis treatment

Our Clinic

Our Approach

Our Team

ScoliBrace

Who can benefit from ScoliBrace?

Children with scoliosis

Adolescents with scoliosis

Adults scoliosis

Kyphosis Sufferers

ScoliBrace Options

Successful patient case examples

Contact us for a ScoliBrace Assessment

Action Sports Chiropractic & Family Wellness

10054 Mesa Ridge Court Suite 116

San Diego, CA 92121

(858) 256 - 6401

Action Sports Chiropractic

Contact Us

10054 Mesa Ridge Court Suite 116 San Diego, CA 92121 United States

Simple Screening for Scoliosis

Scoliosis Questionnaire for New Patients

Children with
scoliosis

Adolescents
with scoliosis

Adults
scoliosis

Kyphosis
Sufferers

Simple Screening
for Scoliosis

Scoliosis Questionnaire
for New Patients