Thoracic | Braceworks Custom Orthotics

New implant restores blood pressure balance after spinal cord injury

Neuroscientists and neurosurgeons from Canada, Switzerland and the Netherlands collaborate on life changing research and innovation. UCalgary researcher Aaron Phillips monitors Cody Krebs’s blood pressure as it’s stabilized by a … READ MORE

Find a doctor – Pectus carinatum and Pectus excavatum

Bracing, according to The Calgary Protocol, is an effective, non-invasive treatment for Pectus carinatum, in many cases. Ask your doctor about your treatment options and find out if you are a candidate for brace therapy. While … READ MORE

Vacuum Bell Therapy for Pectus excavatum

Types of Klobe Vacuum Bell: the pectus clinic works with Eckart Klobe, the inventor and manufacturer of the Klobe Vacuum bell, the first device developed specifically to offer a non-surgical treatment for pectus excavatum. Photo … READ MORE

Cardiopulmonary function in adolescent patients with pectus excavatum or carinatum

3D chest wall scan. Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary. Abstract Background Pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC) have generally been considered an aesthetic issue, although there is growing evidence of … READ MORE

Canadian kids’ spinal surgery waits ‘far exceed’ recommendations: report

Severe spinal curvature painful, delays can lead to more complex surgeries with longer hospitalizations. Madison West-Pettigrew smiles in this undated photo. Madison waited a year for scoliosis surgery as the curvature in her spine … READ MORE

Learn about Pectus

ACPOC 2024 Annual Meeting OTWorld 2024 April 24–27, 2024 Grand Hyatt Denver, Colorado Early Bird Registration ends February 23rd 14-17 May 2024 Medical & Pharma Medical Equipment Leipzig, Germany 24th Annual Congress: Chest Wall … READ MORE

10-year study shows brace treatment is best for Pectus carinatum

Surgery was the top treatment choice for pectus carinatum, but a long-running study indicates that using a brace is the choice for better outcomes. The Calgary Protocol: bracing for Pectus carinatum Marian Freedman, Jon Matthew Farber … READ MORE

What to know about bracing for Pectus carinatum

If your child has pectus carinatum, your doctor might recommend a chest brace to correct the pigeon-chested appearance that the condition causes. Chest braces can help to reshape your child’s chest, relieve any symptoms, and give … READ MORE

Chest wall bracing for children and young people with Pectus carinatum

This video is about Dynamic Bracing of Pectus Carinatum. Tomasz Bugajski March30 2017. UofC Kinesiology Seminar Series. Youtube Oct 1, 2019 Key findings. The evidence base for chest wall bracing in people with pectus carinatum … READ MORE

How to address the psychological impact of scoliosis bracing

Answering Common Questions About Scoliosis Bracing for Kids and Teens. Gillette Children’s, Foster Brennan. by Maria St. Louis-Sanchez, The O&P Edge May 1, 2023 ▽ Table of Contents Introduction The Benefits and Challenges … READ MORE

Former Broncos player has sights set on Paralympic wheelchair basketball

24-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., paralyzed in 2018 bus crash that killed 16 in Saskatchewan. The Canadian Press, CBC Calgary July 31, 2023 Ryan Straschnitzki, one of the Humboldt Bronco hockey players injured in the Humboldt bus … READ MORE

‘Willing to do anything’: Humboldt Broncos crash survivor joins disability advocacy group

Airdrie’s Ryan Straschnitzki has been working to regain the use of his legs since the tragic 2018 crash, even getting an epidural stimulator implanted in his spine in 2019. Vecova announced the appointment of Ryan Straschnitzki … READ MORE

‘They don’t care about me, mom’: Teen’s scoliosis surgery delayed five times

Nathan Gilson’s wait took a mental and physical toll on the entire family. The left photo shows Nathan Gilson’s back before scoliosis surgery, while the second photo shows his back after surgery. It took a year-and-a-half for … READ MORE

Alberta woman expected a 6-month wait for surgery. Two painful years later, she’s still waiting

‘It makes me feel insignificant,’ says woman awaiting surgery for scoliosis. Sarah MacPhail is a therapist and clinical social worker from Cold Lake, Alta. She says she has been waiting since 2020 for a spinal surgery to … READ MORE

Vacuum Bell wear and care instructions

Types of Klobe Vacuum Bell: the pectus clinic works with Eckart Klobe, the inventor and manufacturer of the Klobe Vacuum bell, the first device developed specifically to offer a non-surgical treatment for pectus excavatum. Photo … READ MORE

‘Smart’ 3d-printed braces could improve scoliosis treatment

A new type of lightweight 3D-printed back brace capable of sensing how effectively it fits patients could lead to improved treatment for scoliosis, its developers say. Figure 3. Immediate correction of three-dimensional-printed brace. … READ MORE

Vacuum Bell therapy: A nonsurgical option for chest wall depression (pectus excavatum)

While children with severe pectus excavatum often need surgery, vacuum bell therapy may make surgery unnecessary. Boston Children’s Hospital by Joanne Barker, Clinical Care, Boston Children’s Hospital June 29, 2021 Pectus … READ MORE

Device is an easier option to correct chest deformity

Dr. Robert Obermeyer of Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk shows Austin Hinton and his mother, Tina Hinton, how to operate Austin’s new “vacuum bell” on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. The … READ MORE

Pectus carinatum – FAQs

Watch the video. Novel 3D imaging for chest wall anomalies: The early Calgary experience. How common is Pectus carinatum? Pectus carinatum occurs in approximately 1 to 2 people in 3,000 and occurs more commonly in males. Has your … READ MORE

Bracing in pediatric patients with pectus carinatum is effective and improves quality of life

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and patient satisfaction with bracing for pectus carinatum (PC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five PC patients were treated between August 2007 and October 2011. Most … READ MORE

Bracing is an effective therapy for Pectus carinatum: interim results

If patients are compliant, a self- adjusting brace system can give rapid correction of the pectus carinatum protrusion with excellent patient satisfaction. The Calgary Protocol: bracing for Pectus carinatum These interim results … READ MORE

You forget how tall you are: Paralyzed Humboldt Bronco able to stand during physio

Ryan Straschnitzki had epidural stimulator implanted in his spine in Thailand two years ago. Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki, centre, is helped to stand in a walker by Eric Daigle, left, and Jill Mack, centre … READ MORE

Braceworks Pectus Brace wear and care

☞ Download Braceworks Pectus Brace® Instructions PDF Braceworks Pectus Brace® Wearing Schedule. Phase 1: Correction. Wear the brace at least 12 hours/day. You may reasonably expect the bump to correct within 2 to 4 months … READ MORE

A blessing: Paralyzed Humboldt Bronco finds way back on the ice during COVID-19

Ryan Straschnitzki has been spending time playing sledge hockey on a pond behind his family’s home in Airdrie. Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki plays pond hockey with his family near his home in Airdrie, … READ MORE

Pectus carinatum patients report high satisfaction with bracing

In a study of patient experiences and satisfaction with dynamic compression bracing to treat pectus carinatum, researchers found that the bracing was effective in achieving correction in compliant patients and that patients reported … READ MORE

Patient-reported efficacy of the UCSF custom Pectus carinatum orthosis

Chrysta Irolla MS MSPO CPO is a recipient of the 2021 Howard R. Thranhardt Award Irolla will present Treatment Parameters for the UCSF Pectus Carinatum Orthosis: A Pilot Study. More information about the 2021 National Assembly is … READ MORE

UCSF Pectus carinatum orthosis: A pilot study

Originally presented in 1996, in memory of O&P education pioneer Howard R. Thranhardt, the annual Thranhardt Awards have become synonymous with exceptional educational information and the highest caliber research advancing the … READ MORE

Pectus carinatum: The other deformational molding orthosis

There are two predominant types of congenital chest wall deformities. Pectus excavatum, also described as “cave chest” or “funnel chest,” is the most common with a prevalence of roughly 1 in 400 children. The … READ MORE

What a role model: Paralyzed Bronco makes Adidas ad, hall of fame nominee list

“As a kid I always dreamed of playing for Team Canada… and I still do,” Straschnitzki narrates in the commercial. “You know, when one door closes, another one opens.” Ryan Straschnitzki. The Canadian … READ MORE

‘It’s a grind’: Paralyzed Humboldt Broncos goaltender seeing slow progress

Jacob Wassermann seriously injured in bus crash that killed 16 people. Humboldt Broncos hockey player Jacob Wassermann, left, and teammate Ryan Straschnitzki compare sticks during a sled hockey scrimmage at the Edge Ice Arena in … READ MORE