DM Orthotics Limited

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Overview of Scoliosis Management

Scoliosis is a deformity of the spine and includes both rotation and a lateral curve. Scoliosis is treated by the use of orthotic braces to physically correct the curve by applying pressure and corresponding void areas to provide spinal correction. The spinal braces commonly have corrected the curves by 50 degrees in brace, however the final results at the end of treatment are commonly the same angle ( these are known as Cobb angles.) This is because the spinal brace prevents the curve from progressing. This result is counted as positive outcome.

Dynamic spinal braces are now become available that encourage the spinal segments to be adjusted by applying pressures and de- rotations via the use of elasticated orthoses Ð ie they are truly dynamic in that they allow full ranges of movement but the natural state of rest is in the corrected position . These orthoses provide the brain with feedback and physical pressures to educate the brain of the bodies centre of balance and correct alignment. Although in the early stages it has been suggested that the use of this type of orthosis could have an effect on the progression of scoliosis due to the earlier intervention when the Cobb angle of 15 degrees. Recent research presented at the SOSORT meeting in Montreal 2010 (www.sosort.mobi) suggested that there is a case for earlier intervention.

The DMO scoliosis suit has been developed for scoliosis management particularly for the treatment of neurological involvement like cerebral palsy. Rigid and semi rigid orthotic bracing is known to treat the result rather than the cause, which is muscle strength imbalance. This results in the curves progressing even though they are rigidly braced.

Muscle tone in the spine reduces markedly within 72 hours of wearing a brace continually. In the case of low toned cerebral palsy children there is already low muscle tone in the trunk. The use of DMO scoliosis suit enable the clinician to use x-rays to prescribe specific pressures and de-rotation panels to counter the scoliosis with very encouraging outcomes. This orthotic treatment of scoliosis is already becoming widespread with use in the UK and USA. Although a fairly new concept in treatment of this condition the early outcomes are encouraging and have been presented at conferences around the world.