Scoliosis: Life, Support & Friends

ScoliosisJournal published a new article regarding the determination of quality of life in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis subjected to conservative treatment. Authors: Angelo G Aulisa, Vincenzo Guzzanti, Carlo Perisano, Emanuele Marzetti, Alessandro Specchia, Marco Giordano and Lorenzo Aulisa Introduction and objectives. Physical deformities caused by adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) coupled with conservative treatment of AIS with orthesis unavoidably impacts on patients' quality of life (QoL). The present study aimed at evaluating the QoL in patients affected by AIS treated with brace. The study also sought to determine the ability of different QoL questionnaires to monitor QoL over the course of treatment. Materials and Methods. Data were collected in 108 consecutive patients (96 females, 16 males) affected by AIS admitted to the outpatient orthopaedic clinic of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome (Italy). Patients were subjected to full-time (i.e....

Authors: Stefano Negrini and Theodoros B Grivas Scoliosis Journal report : Introduction to the "Scoliosis" Journal Brace Technology Thematic Series: increasing existing knowledge and promoting future developments. Bracing is the main non-surgical intervention in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth, in hyperkyphosis (and Scheuermann disease) and occasionally for spondylolisthesis; it can be used in adult scoliosis, in the elderly when pathological curves lead to a forward leaning posture or in adults after traumatic injuries. Bracing can be defined as the application of external corrective forces to the trunk; rigid supports or elastic bands can be used and braces can be custom-made or prefabricated. The state of research in the field of conservative treatment is insufficient and while it can be stated that there is some evidence to support bracing, we must also acknowledge that today we do not have a common and generally accepted knowledge base, and that i...

ScoliosisJournal report that a specific scoliosis classification correlating with brace treatment: description and reliability Connect with Scoliosis patients on our Scoliosis Yahoo! support group Authors: Manuel D Rigo , Monica Villagrasa and Dino Gallo Background Spinal classification systems for scoliosis which were developed to correlate with surgical treatment have historically been used in brace treatment as well. There has previously not been classification systems developed specifically to correlate with brace design and treatment. The purpose of this study is to show the intra- and inter- observer reliability of a new scoliosis classification system correlating with brace treatment. Methods A novel classification system ("Rigo Classification") was developed in order to define specific principles of correction required for efficacious brace design and fabrication. The classification includes radiological as well as clinical criteria. The radiological crite...

Author: Laura Buchholz Although there is some evidence that adolescents with scoliosis may benefit from wearing hard or elastic braces to correct spinal curvature, research thus far has failed to prove definitively that bracing works, the investigators conclude. The evidence for bracing is weak, as is the evidence of any long-term benefits of bracing, Dr. Stefano Negrini of the Italian Scientific Spine Institute of Milan, Italy, and colleagues report in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research. Negrini and his team searched the medical literature for studies comparing braces with no treatment, other treatment, surgery, and different types of braces. From a pool of 1,285 titles, the researchers read 128 full texts, and found only 2 that fit their criteria. One study involved 286 girls; some wore a brace, some received electrical stimulation, and some received no tre...

So I had my half-yearly back check up at the hospital on Tuesday the 24th. Here's a quick report: X-RAYS Bone development: My hand was x-rayed. It revealed that I only had a small amount of growth left. Yay!:D SPINAL: My current curves are both 18 - 19 degrees, same as last time. They aren't progressing. ORTHOPEDIC: My doctor looked at the wounds on my back and saw the x-rays. He concluded that I only needed to wear my brace 18 hours a day from now on! He told me that 6 hours wouldn't make much of a difference, seeing as I only have a small amount of growth left and the brace wouldn't be able to fix a huge amount. ORTHOTIC: My orthotist looked at the scars and told me to wear my brace looser. He put padding in the lower side as well. He advised me to wear my brace to school, as it involves sitting down, which is the worst of the three postures. He said the best time not to wear it is when I'm asleep. Best news: the orthotist said next time I come in March, I probab...

Author: Matt Cooper I spotted this article on a golf website and as I knew about Stacy Lewis having Scoliosis I decide to re-print some of the article here to share with our members. Well, it took longer than expected but we all knew it had to happen sooner or later. The weight of expectancy was huge but one sensed it was coming. Welcomed by sponsors, officials and even fellow players. Much anticipated and greeted with scenes of drama and relief. Yes - finally an American has won again on the LPGA. One player excited about the tour's first visit to Houston in 20 years is Stacy Lewis, a Houston resident who has played at the nearby Woodlands all of her career. Lewis' golfing journey has been an extraordinary one - she started playing the game aged eight, quickly gained a reputation as a great talent, was diagnosed with scoliosis (curvature of the spine), wore a brace for six years, then had surgery, became the number ranked amateur in the US and then finished third in the 2008 U...

Scoliosis Journal report about brace treatment for patients with Scheuermann`s disease - a review of the literature and first experiences with a new brace design Authors: Hans-Rudolf Weiss, Deborah Turnbull and Silvia Bohr Published: 29 September 2009 Background In contemporary literature few have written in detail on the in-brace correction effects of braces used for the treatment of hyperkyphosis. Bradford et al. found their attempts effective, treating Scheuermann's kyphosis with Milwaukee braces, but their first report did not specifically focus on in-brace corrections. White and Panjabi's research attempted to correct a curvature of > 50 degrees with the help of distraction forces, but consequently led to a reduction in patient comfort in the application of the Milwaukee brace. In Germany they avoid this by utitlising braces to treat hyperkyphosis that use transverse correction forces instead of distraction forces. Further efforts to reduce brace material have resulte...

Scoliosis Journal have reported about the treatment of thoraco-lumbar curves in adolescent females affected by idiopathic Scoliosis with a progressive action short brace (PASB): assessment of results according to the SRS committee on bracing and nonoperative management standardization criteria. Authors: Angelo G. Aulisa, Vincenzo Guzzanti, Marco Galli, Carlo Perisano, Francesco Falciglia and Lorenzo Aulisa Published: 18 September 2009 Background The effectiveness of conservative treatment of scoliosis is controversial. Some studies suggest that brace is effective in stopping curve progression, whilst others did not report such an effect. The purpose of the present study was to effectiveness of Progressive Action Short Brace (PASB) in the correction of thoraco-lumbar curves, in agreement with the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Committee on Bracing and Nonoperative Management Standardisation Criteria. Methods Fifty adolescent females (mean age 11.8 +/- 0.5 years) with thoraco-lumbar ...

Scoliosis Journal report on how to improve aesthetics in patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS): a SPoRT brace treatment according to SOSORT management criteria Authors: Fabio Zaina, Stefano Negrini, Claudia Fusco and Salvatore Atanasio Published: 1 September 2009 Background Aesthetics is a main goal of both conservative and surgical treatments in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Previously, we developed and validated a clinical scale - the Aesthetic Index (AI)--in order to measure aesthetic impairment and changes during treatment. Aim: To verify the efficacy of bracing on aesthetics in AIS. Study Design: Prospective Cohort Study. Population: Thirty-four consecutive patients, age 13.2+/-3.7, initial Cobb Angle 32+/-12degrees, ATR 10+/-4degrees Bunnel, 11 males. Methods Patients with AI scores of at least 5/6 were included. Each of them had a brace prescription (18 to 23 hours per day), according to the SPoRT concept. AI was measured again after six months and at th...

Scoliosis Journal recently reported the following article which talks about the long-term outcome after Boston brace treatment in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Authors: Johan Emil Lange, Harald Steen and Jens Ivar Brox Published: 26 August 2009 Background Few studies have evaluated long-term outcome after bracing using validated quality of life outcome. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term outcome in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) 12 years or more after treatment with Boston brace. Methods 109 (80 %) of 135 patients (7 men) with AIS treated with Boston brace at a mean of 19.2 (12-28) years previously responded to long-term follow-up examination. All patients (n = 109) answered a standardised questionnaire including demographics, work status, treatment, Global Back Disability Question, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (100-worst possible), General Function Score (GFS) (100 - worst possible), EuroQol (EQ-5D (1 - best possible), EQ-VAS (100 - best possible...

The Daily Mail report about a 14 year old girl, Megan Parker, 14, who was diagnosed with hemi-vertebrae and curvature of the spine at just six weeks old and had to have over 40 operations to correct her twisted back!!!! She was forced to permanently wear a specially-made body shell to correct her posture and keep her neck upright. Every time she grew medics were forced to open up her back again to stretch the titanium rods screwed into her to keep her spine straight. But after a lifetime spent in her shell she has finally broken free after racing to recovery - and has even taken up go-karting. Nowadays Meg, who wants to be a singer, can be spotted zooming around her local track - a far cry from the pace suggested by her old nickname. Megan, who lives in Colchester with full-time mum Tina, 39, and specialist car mechanic dad Robert, 43, said being without the cast had totally changed her life. She said: 'There is so much that I want to do now, but I have to take things steady becaus...

So now I am in my third boston brace. :( It hurts. The side that goes up is on the right, whereas it used to be on the left. It feels so different. It's made me really sick as well. I don't have holes in it yet, so it is really really hot. Last night, I lost my appetite and didn't eat dinner, then this morning, I went pale and felt really sick and weak. I went back to bed and closed my eyes. When I opened them again, I couldn't see anything! My parents were going to call the ambulance. Oh even though I TRY to stay positive, it's so hard. Bracing sucks. :( Here's a picture of my new brace (without holes) and my old brace.

Hmmmm... could there possibly be a link between scoliosis and dancing? One of my friends, who also has scoliosis, thinks so. She did gymnastics before her scoli was discovered and she was forced to quit. Now I LOVE dancing (have i mentioned that here before?) and dance 5 classes a week. I do 6 hours in total: 3 classes of ballet n 1 class each of Tap and jazz. im not on pointe yet by the way. When I first found out I had scoliosis, I thought I'd have to quit dance and cried. Then I found out ballet was supposedly better for my back! So how can dancing be bad for your back? I have realised that on spinekids, loads of girls have something along the lines of "Dancer" on their profiles. And 25% of dancers have scoliosis, according to statistics. Could there be a connection? After being diagnosed, scoliosis didn't affect my dancing much, apart from keeping me from cartwheeling and holding my posture up straighter (thanks to my brace). My doctor also told me that exercises ...

I have FINALLY given an approximation of how long I will have to continue with my brace!!! I'lll HOPEFULLY be done by early 2011! My current curves are 16 degrees and 19 degrees! It is most likely that I'll never need surgery! I'm getting a new brace in 3 weeks! My orthotist has said that since I've done well with my bracing (I've now nearly HALVED my original curves of 31 deg n 31 deg), it may be possible to try to overcorrect me. Seems very very painful to be honest... Apparently the long side on my boston brace will be shortened a fraction and the shorter side will come up further, to control my upper curve. My next post will probably be on the 4th of June, when I get my new brace. Also, when we told the orthotist about my skin condition, his reply was: "Excellent! The brace is doing its job!" But after some moisturiser, my poor skin is nearly back to normal. There are still scars all over my back though.

Scoliosis journal reported a case report about undiagnosed osteoid osteoma of the spine presenting as painful scoliosis from adolescence to adulthood Authors: George Sapkas, Nicolas Efstathopoulos and Michael Papadakis Abstract (provisional) Presented here is a case of a young woman, with an undiagnosed osteoid osteoma of the spine, which presented with painful scoliosis in adolescence and was treated by bracing until her accession to adulthood. A more thorough investigation, years after the initial one, revealed the tumor. Surgical excision and stabilization offered the long- awaited cure. Misdiagnosis resulted in intractable pain for years, deformity, the discomfort of brace therapy, and the frustration of a prolonged yet ineffective treatment. Background The most common cause of painful Scoliosis in adolescents is osteoid osteoma of the spine. Up to 25% of all Osteoid Osteomas are found in the spine, of which 60% are located in the lumbar spine, 27% of the cervical, 12% in the thor...

Yeh, I sorta forgot about writing in to the blog after I got my new brace but I have finally remembered. My new brace isn't much different from my old brace, except it hurts a lot more!!! Now I remember why I used to not mind going swimming! Speaking of swimming, does anyone else here HATE going swimming for their back? Coz I have never been a swimmer and can't stand it! Anyway, so I went to the hospital on Thursday and got my new brace. It was obviously taller and made me stand uo even straighter than I had been standing before! The doctor took away Soapy, my old brace. So I went home and lied down (because I could hardly breathe!) and had to take the next day off school as well. I don't like my new brace much. I've called it Bossy the Boston Brace (yeh, I know, very original!) and it kills at times! It doesn't even have holes all over it yet. When I breathe in suddenly, air rushes out of somewhere and makes a huge wooshing sound. My old brace did NOT do that. Now ...

We have blogged about the SpineCor brace a few times and had many discussions about this brace on the Scoliosis Online Support Group. For those of you that have not heard of the SpineCor brace then here is some blurb for you to get your head round, along with a link to a study that was carried out :) Rigid braces have already proven to be ineffective and a lot of surgeons do not prescribe braces nowadays. Rather, they ask patients to just have normal life until surgery is required. What's the point of letting kids go through the experience of wearing a brace for years when they are going to do surgery anyway? Last June Journal of Pediatric Orthopedic published spinecor study analyzed with new criteria set by SRS...all braces were analyzed this way so that direct comparison would be possible. SpineCore Brace Study We have a few members on the group have been fitted with this brace, below are some comments from Verda Tondevold. Connect with Verda on the Scoliosis Online Support Group...

So, first of all... Confession. :) Well... I have been a member of this blog for a while now but haven't really gotten around to posting. Sorry! But for now... here's a little intro on me! Name (For this blog, anyway): Tiz Age: 13 Scoli type: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis treatment: bracing for 10 months now, still ongoing :( Scoliosis curve before treatment: 31 degrees Scoliosis curve at last check-up: 20 degrees! (Both lumbar and thoracic, by the way) Brace type: Boston (could be much worse, I guess) Estimated time to continue bracing: 2 years, until I stop growing at least Next scoli appointment: 5th Feb, update will be posted hopefully, if I remember COOL scoli sites for teens: www.spinekids.com --> good place to post scoli story and excellent forums, mostly girls That's it for now! Thank you heaps, Simone and Judith, for letting me be a part of such a cool blog!

Laura's consultant has told her that she can leave the brace off, she is very relieved! I am pleased, he wants to see her again in 6 months. He told her no PE till then and I thought she took that very well. I later found out that she has been doing PE for weeks anyway! I am not very happy with that but it looks like that particular horse bolted in the summer so there's not a lot I can do. I look forward to returning the loo and bath seats though, they are taking up space we don't really have. A friend of mine facetiously suggested I make the brace into jewellery (a little sideline of mine). That got me thinking - it's not as silly as it sounds. The leopard skin pattern on the outside and the soft stuff on the inside means it would make nice bracelets if I could cut them out! Shame Laura won't let me. Next is Ruth, just starting on the scoli journey. She has an appointment for an MRI scan at the beginning of December and then we will have to see what can be done....

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Judith from our Scoliosis Yahoo Group , who has decided to join me in blogging on the ScoliosisNutty blog . A little background on Judith: "I first realised I had scoliosis when I was about 15 in the mid-1970s", and she said to her father "I go in more on one side than the other". He said "you've got scoliosis" but that was the end of the matter, nothing done, no medical advice. Judith has actually had back pain for as long as she could remember, and says "but only when I had to sit on something without a back and it wasn't that bad. I think in view of the problems people who had surgery at that time see to have now, I am quite glad". Fast forward to 2006, when her daughter Laura pointed out that she seemed to have one hip bigger than the other. Judith says "We went to our GP and he referred her to our local hospital, who in turn referred her to the RNOH at Stanmore. She had surgery there in ...