SpineCor treatment was developed in the early 1990s and utilizes a Dynamic Corrective Brace (DCB), together with a completely new treatment approach requiring clinical assistant diagnostic software (SAS) to allow accurate fitting and treatment follow up.

The initial excellent clinical results produced by the research centre at Ste Justine Hospital and the University of Montreal, Canada, have since been replicated by more than 80 other treatment centres around the world. SpineCor has shown to be effective in 89% of cases (either by stablization or improvement in (Cobb) angle of the curve). Clinical experience to date also shows better compliance and cosmetic results.

• A treatment approach based on the latest understanding of the cause and progression factors of Idiopathic scoliosis.
• A much more acceptable treatment to patients, being cooler to wear, less restrictive, more easily concealed under clothing and 4 hours of out of brace time per day.
• No side effects. Rigid braces cause muscle atrophy and can be harmful to normal development in a growing child.
• Excellent treatment results, particularly when treatment is started early.
• Excellent stability of treatment results post bracing.
• Neuromuscular integration for maintenance of improved posture.
• Potential to reduce incidence of surgical intervention.

Although to date no specific study has been undertaken to quantify cosmetic improvement, subjectively, some striking improvements have been observed clinically. Additionally, some very positive postural changes have been noted in cases where there has been no change in Cobb angle.

SpineCor’s unique treatment approach offers improvement over traditional braces, which are essentially static or allow minimal movement, due to its true totally dynamic action. The SpineCor treatment approach is completely different to that of traditional braces that use 3-point pressure and distraction; it is the first and only true dynamic bracing system for idiopathic scoliosis. SpineCor’s unique approach to treatment by global postural re-education has been shown to give progressive correction over time which, unlike any previous brace treatment, is extremely stable post brace weaning.

Traditional braces are rigid and static by design, however, the SpineCor system uses a dynamic, flexible belting system that does not limit normal body movements. Since the patient is allowed, and encouraged, to do all normal daily activities the postural muscles of the abdomen and spine will not become weak.

Other benefits of wearing SpineCor for the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis include:

• Adults with scoliosis-related back pain have used SpineCor with good results with relief of back pain
• No side effects, whereas rigid braces cause muscle atrophy and can be harmful to normal development in a child
• Cooler to wear
• Better compliance and cosmesis
• SpineCor has excellent stability results after the brace is no longer worn
• Positive postural changes noted in cases where there's been no change in Cobb angle.

SpineCor is a highly effective for the early treatment of idiopathic scoliosis as demonstrated in the case study and also offers significant benefits to patients who present late. The real challenge is, therefore, to increase awareness of the absolute importance of early diagnosis and, that a viable treatment for early intervention is now available. Clearly it is easier to prevent progression of a small curve than to reverse the deformity in a large curve. Timing is of absolute importance – the later treatment is started the lesser the possibility there is to change the curve, as the child’s growth runs out so does the possibility to make any change.