Scoliosis FAQs

Scoliosis is a sideways (lateral) curve of the spine, usually developing in early adolescence. About 80% of scoliosis is idiopathic which means that the cause is unknown. 1 to 2 of every 100 people has scoliosis. About 2 to 3 of every 1,000 people will need treatment for progressive scoliosis.

One of every 1,000 people requires surgery. Scoliosis tends to run in families and although boys and girls are affected the same at the onset, girls are more likely to have curves that continue to worsen and require treatment. Spinal curvature is best dealt with when the body is still growing and can best respond to treatment such as a brace. Mild cases may only require monitoring by your doctor and no bracing.

Scoliosis is often noticed by a parent, family member or by a school screening process.  From there, referral to an orthopedic spine specialist should take place. Doctors will suggest the best treatment for each patient based on the patient's age, how much more he or she is likely to grow, the degree and pattern of the curve, and the type of scoliosis. A simple x-ray can provide much of this information.  From the x-ray, angles can be calculated to determine the exact degree of the curve(s). This is called the Cobb angle.

Your doctor may recommend observation, bracing, or surgery and here is a general guideline of how that decision is made:

Doctors follow patients without treatment and re-examine them every 4 to 6 months when the patient is still growing (is skeletally immature) and has an idiopathic curve of less than 25 degrees. Note: Determining timeline of growth remaining is done by two primary ways. (1) Time since onset of first menstrual cycle in females and (2) using the Risser sign. The Risser sign is capping of the iliac crest (something that can be seen in the x-ray) where experienced professionals can discern roughly how much longer that person will continue to grow.

Doctors advise patients to wear a brace to stop a curve from getting any worse when the patient:

• is still growing and has an idiopathic curve that is more than 25 to 30 degrees
• has at least 2 years of growth remaining, has an idiopathic curve that is between 20 and 29 degrees, and, if a girl, has not had her first menstrual period
• is still growing and has an idiopathic curve between 20 and 29 degrees that is getting worse.

Braces are designed to prevent the curve from getting worse. The long-term goal is to have the same degree curve at start of treatment as at discharge from the brace (after growth stops).

Doctors advise patients to have surgery to correct a curve or stop it from worsening when the patient is still growing, has a curve that is more than 45° and a curve that is getting worse.

The choice of brace  depends on the type & location of curve. For example, the curve may be an 'S' type or double curve affecting the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine. This variety would be considered a TLSO for short or a Thoraco-Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis. In a curve of any kind, one will always see the sacral portion. This is how the brace is locked onto the body – by firmly gripping waist and pelvis.

Some curves primarily affect the lumbar region and have little to no impact above that area. In these cases, a simple LSO or Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis can be fitted. Unfortunately, with curves higher than T8 (above thoracic vertebra 8), more cumbersome braces often yield the best results. These are referred to as a Milwaukee brace or a Boston Brace with Superstructure.

For the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and other forms of scoliosis, early novel devices were created by Bill Miller, the originator of Boston Body Jacket, along with a number of specialists at Children's Hospital Boston in 1975. This method of bracing is still considered the gold standard for scoliosis treatment.

Scoliosis may rapidly worsen during growth if the curve is over 25°. The purpose of bracing is to keep the curve from progressing (worsening) as the child grows. A brace may not correct the curve permanently, but it may prevent it from increasing. The brace is made of plastic and is contoured specifically for each patient in order to give the straightest possible shape. It extends from below the armpit to the beginning of the pelvic areas in the front and just below the shoulder blade in the back. Pads are placed to provide pressure on the curve and areas of relief are provided opposite the areas of pressure.

The brace is worn under clothing and is not visible. Those who wear a brace lead very normal lives, and participate in activities, physical education, and sports. Any activity that the wearer can do in a brace is allowed.

The brace needs to be worn 23 hours each day until the team determines that the patient has reached skeletal maturity. At that point, you might be switched to wearing the brace at night only. The patient is slowly weaned from the brace when it is deemed appropriate.

About 4 out of 5 growing patients (80%) will have a satisfactory result. This means that their curve will not significantly increase. About 1 of 5 (20%) will have some increase. There is no way to predict which patients will have the better results. Occasionally, surgery will be needed.

Bracing and surgical correction are the only options which have been proven to be effective in scientific studies. There are no equally effective treatments. Exercise, by itself, is not a treatment for scoliosis. It cannot stop a curve getting worse.

Successful brace wearing requires you to: Wear your brace 23 hours daily within 2 to 3 weeks of the start of receiving your brace (unless otherwise specified by your doctor). Take care of your skin on a daily basis. Wear an undershirt at all times under your brace (for girls, bras are worn under the undershirt).

The shirt must fit well, without wrinkles. Apply the brace properly to your body (as you will be learn at your the doctor’s office). Do your exercise program daily. Gradually increase your brace wearing time daily until you reach the goal.

There’s even been times where he’s so fussy or unsettled and I feel like I’ve tried everything, so I take his helmet off in the middle of the night to see if that helps. Often it didn’t, so I’d put it back on in the morning and he did great either way. In our journey I’ve come across babies that have to have 2-3 weeks off of helmets because they’ve outgrown a helmet and are waiting for the new one – it will be okay!

The team at Braceworks will demonstrate proper placement of the brace to you. At first, you will need help. Eventually, you will learn to do it by yourself. The easiest method is outlined below.

Place the brace around your body by holding each side and spreading the brace so you can twist into it. The brace is stiff when new. Make sure that all straps are outside of the brace. The opening of the brace should be in the middle of the back so that the bumps on the spine and the crease between the buttocks are halfway between each edge (in the middle of the opening).

Push the brace down by placing your hands on your hips. The indentations on the inside of the brace should rest just above your hips and below your ribs. Lean forward on to your forearms onto a table, dresser, or counter. Your helper will thread the straps through the buckle. Your helper applies pressure with the flat of one hand to the side opposite the buckle.

At the same time, the helper pulls the Velcro strap with the other hand towards the hand applying the pressure. Secure the bottom strap first. Then do the top. Finally do the middle strap. Then straighten up. Repeat securing the straps until the brace is tight.

Place the brace on your body as described in the previous answer. Put the straps through the buckles. Lean forward from your hips and pull the straps out, down, and away from the buckle side.

Remember to be patient with yourself. Putting the brace on by yourself takes practice.

When you or your helper pushes on both sides at once, there should be no 'give' or movement of the brace. Wear it as tightly as possible. The straps should be tightened beyond the original mark, if possible.

Helpful hints: Make sure that your spine is centered in the brace. The waist pads must be just above your hips and below your lowest rib.

It is very important to prevent skin breakdown (sore, red skin). The skin under the brace needs to be toughened up, especially where the brace presses the hardest. To protect the skin: Bathe or shower daily. Apply rubbing alcohol with your hands to the area over the hips. Alcohol plus the friction of your hand to your body will toughen the skin. Continue this procedure only until your skin toughens (usually about 2 to 3 weeks after you start wearing the brace).

Pay special attention to pink areas of the skin where your brace presses the most. The pink color should disappear within 30 minutes of removing the brace. If the skin remains pink longer than 30 minutes, adjustments may be required. Always wear a cotton undershirt without side seams under your brace.

Some of our patients have had custom fitted undershirts made of Pima cotton or Gard cotton. They can be custom made to minimize wrinkles and extend the full length of the brace, while leaving only one vertical seam that is located in the center of the back where the brace is open. This eliminates bruising caused by seams.

You can order these specialty garments from:

Florencia Hejtmanek

12240 Wilkins Avenue

Rockville, MD

Phone 301-231-8998 (extension 210)

A strapless undershirt can be made from cotton tubing (similar to what was used for your brace fitting) and is great for hot summer days. Just seam the tubing to allow a form-fit, then cut it just long enough to fold down over the top of the brace and up to cover the bottom of the brace. If necessary, you can tape the tubing to the brace with masking tape. Wear your brace as tightly as possible. A loose brace will cause rubbing and lead to skin problems. A dusting of cornstarch may be helpful in hot weather, or on skin sensitive to alcohol.

Do not use creams, lotions, or powder under the brace initially because they tend to soften the skin and can lead to skin breakdown. If there is skin breakdown (sore, red, raw skin), the brace must not be reapplied until the skin heals. This usually takes several days. If this happens, call the clinic nurse, the pediatric orthopaedic nurse, or the pediatric orthopaedic physician assistant. The problem may be solved over the phone. What may be most important is calling your Orthotist to double check your brace fit. Sometimes the skin over the waist and hips gets darker. This is common and is not a problem. When the brace treatment is over, this color will go away.

Wearing your brace successfully should start with a gradual build up of time per day in your brace. It will take 2 to 3 weeks until you wear your brace full-time. The following program is designed to help your skin and muscles adjust to having the brace on.

Wear your brace 6 hours per day. This is best accomplished after school and up until bedtime. Apply the brace for 2 hours. Then remove the brace, check your skin, and rub with alcohol. If your skin is just pink, re-apply for 2 more hours. Repeat up to 6 hours total. If your skin is sore and red, wait 30 minutes, then rub with alcohol and wear for 2 more hours up to 6 hours total.

Increase wear to 10 hours per day. This is best done over a weekend (only one weekend is necessary). Put the brace on for 4 hours. Remove the brace, check your skin, and rub with alcohol. If your skin is just pink, re-apply the brace for 3 hours. Repeat up to 10 hour total. An alternative to Stage 2 is to put the brace on and leave it on until it bothers you. Remove and check your skin. Try to increase the time you wear the brace each day.

Wear the brace 18 hours daily. Put your brace on before school. At lunchtime, or about 4 hours later, take the brace off and check your skin and rub with alcohol. Your school nurse can usually help with this. Put the brace back on until after school. After school, remove the brace for 6 hours, then reapply at bedtime and sleep in your brace. If you wake up the first night, take off the brace and go back to sleep. You need to be rested for school. If you wake up on the second night, try to roll over and go back to sleep with the brace still on.

Wear your brace 23 hours per day. You may be out of the brace one hour each day for dressing and bathing. If needed, you may have additional time out of the brace (1 to 2 hours each day) for team sports. When you are able to wear your brace 23 hours each day, congratulate and reward yourself. You have achieved your goal!

Your brace can and should be cleaned frequently. You can use soap and water to clean it daily. Once each week, wipe your brace down with rubbing alcohol. Straps will wear over time and need to be replaced. This can be done easily by your orthotist at Braceworks.

Exercise helps your back stay limber and prevent muscles from getting weak.

Start by standing with your back against the wall. Your feet should be slightly apart and positioned directly underneath your hips. Keep your eyes and chin level by trying to focus directly in front of you. Flatten your back against the brace while keeping your legs straight. Hold 30 seconds and repeat in sets of 5.Exercising in your brace should be done as often as you can during the day. These exercises will help your brace to be more effective in the treatment of scoliosis.

Lean the direction that your spine curves. Stretch the opposite arm overhead and slowly bend. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Practice in the brace by “bending the spine straight” at least 25 times each day. You might try doing several at a time, several times each day for a total of 25.

The brace and exercises together will achieve the best results and make your brace treatmen more successful. We recommend swimming without the brace since water supports your back. For safety around the water, try swimming in your brace with a buddy, so you won’t be afraid if you fall into the water.

Air conditioning often provides extra comfort for brace wearers. Heat can be a real problem. Some patients have found that they don’t like using powders inside the brace. Little 'pills' of damp powder may form and be uncomfortable. The brace should not cause pain or bruising. Fitting and adjustments may need to be made frequently, especially during growth spurts. A slight adjustment to the brace can often be very effective. Your Orthotist will be happy to help you with fittings. Cowl neck and turtle-neck tops as well as scarves tied in an ascot fashion are helpful in covering a Milwaukee style ring.

The most important member of the team is you. The rest of the team is here to answer your questions and provide support. You can talk with your orthopaedic surgeon, the orthopaedic clinic nurse, the pediatric orthopaedic nurse, or the physician assistant for more help.

A physical therapist can also be helpful, especially in helping you decide the best exercises for your particular situation. Teaching can often be accomplished in 2 one hour sessions. Braceworks staff can guide you to a knowledgeable physical therapist in your area. If you feel comfortable doing the exercises on your own, use the ones provided by your orthopaedic surgeon.