Scoliosis
is an abnormality of the spine that includes a curvature to the side. It occurs
most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. Many curvatures resolve
on their own, but some progress throughout the growth period and more severe
cases may require a brace or even surgery to correct the problem.
We talked to Anne Ewald, whose daughter, Caroline, is a
Powell patient undergoing treatment for scoliosis.
“Caroline
was diagnosed in 2015, when she was going for her 10th annual
checkup with the general practitioner,” Anne recalls. “When she did the typical
‘bend over and touch your toes’ test, the doctor noticed a curve and suggested
we get her checked. At that time, she had a mild ‘S Curve’ with a 16-degree
curve on top and a 14-degree curve on the bottom. The doctor advised us to come
back in four months for a recheck.”
By early 2016,
“The top curvature had increased to 21 degrees and the bottom to 16,” Anne
continued. “At that point, there had been a 5-degree increase within that short
time period, so a brace was prescribed. The physician suggested she start
wearing a brace because of her young age and the speed of the progression of
curvature.”
After a
consultation with Powell, Caroline soon started wearing the Scoliosis TLSO
(Thoracic-Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis), sometimes referred to as the Boston Brace. It
manages the progression of scoliosis by bending the spine at specific locations.
This brace is made by taking over 25 anatomical measurements and using x-rays
as well as a CAD/CAM system to accurately place “unbending moments” in brace.
It is then made of a flexible, yet rigid lightweight plastic.
Caroline was
told that she needed to wear the TLSO brace full time, while she was both awake
and asleep. “We were stunned by that,” admitted Anne. “We were thinking that at
most, she’d just wear it to bed, so that part was a little shocking.”
Luckily,
Anne stated that Caroline is a very even-keeled child – and very practical. “In
Caroline’s head,” said Anne, “She’s getting a curve in her spine, so she needs
to wear the brace – that’s that.” Anne admitted that even though Caroline
wasn’t happy about it, she knew it’s what she needed to do. “It took a little
getting used to,” Anne said, “probably more on my end than hers.”
Helping her stay active
Caroline is
a gymnast – not exactly something you would think could be continued while
wearing a rigid brace for scoliosis treatment. Anne was pleasantly surprised to
learn that wasn’t the case.
“Caroline is
a competitive gymnast, and we were concerned that she would not be able to
continue,” said Anne. “We were so thrilled when the doctor encouraged her to
continue gymnastics, and gave her permission to remove the brace during
practice.” Anne said the physician explained that gymnastics improves core
strength and core strength helps to support the back, and they encouraged
physical activity throughout treatment.
Caroline
took the treatment well. “Initially, she was wearing the brace probably 20 to
22 hours a day. She was very concerned about making sure it was helping and
having it on,” Anne said. “She really adjusted to it crazy quickly.” Anne
believes that Caroline’s gymnastics training helped her agility and because of
that the brace didn’t inhibit her in any kind of physical activities.
The TLSO is
frequently a two-piece plastic clamshell design (it may be a single piece that
opens in the front or rear) that extends from the pelvis to just below the
collarbones. Anne described the brace “like
a hard cast that she gets in sideways, and it circles her body and in the back,
there are three Velcro straps that you pull to make it tight around her, like a
hard-shell corset …
“It took us
awhile to get used to the change in clothing, but most people did not notice that
she was wearing the brace.”
Anne said
the staff a Powell was especially helpful during Caroline’s treatment. “They
have definitely made a difference – by helping us become accustomed to having
the back brace there, and being so super nice, friendly and helpful.” Anne
mentioned Beth Martin, who designed Caroline’s brace, by saying “Any time we
had a question, she was like ‘come on in, we’ll have a chat.’ She was great and
still is to this day.”
Anne
continued: “They were very encouraging to me, and made Caroline feel like she
was normal and this was just a small bump in the road.”
Today,
Caroline’s spinal top curve has diminished, but the bottom curve is still being
treated. She has graduated from the TLSO brace into a Charleston Bending Brace
that she wears at night. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed that it does its
job and hoping that we’ll go back in six months and the doctor says ‘It’s
better.’”
To learn more about scoliosis braces,
please contact us at 804-649-9043.
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