SPINECOR DYNAMIC CORRECTIVE BRACE
(Pediatric Treatment)


The SpineCor paediatric treatment system utilizes a flexible brace principally prescribed for Idiopathic Scoliosis patients with a Cobb angles between 15° and 50° and Risser sign 0 to 3. The brace is fitted on the patient according to a sub-classification of the traditional SRS definitions of curve types. The SpineCor Assistant Software guides the treatment provider through the fitting process. The brace is prescribed to be worn by the patients 20 out of 24 hours per day until they have reached maturity, with radiological evaluations performed prior to and immediately following the fitting of the brace, and subsequently every 4 to 6 months afterwards. To accommodate for growth and postural changes, corrective bands need to be adjusted frequently and require replacement each 6-12 months for optimum brace performance. Major brace components can last from 1.5 - 2 years.


The SpineCor System was designed, developed, and tested for the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Its efficacy for treating neuromuscular, neurological and other types of scoliosis has not been evaluation and is generally contraindicated. Only a SpineCor provider such as Scoliosis Specialists with extensive experience and a complete understanding of the treatment system should ever attempt to treat non-idiopathic cases.


The therapeutic approach is based on the etiology and pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis and uses a new treatment concept. It is a pathology of the neuro-musculoskeletal system in growth and maturation. The cause is genetic, and the pathogenesis involves a three-dimensional deformation of the spine, postural disorganization, unsynchronized growth and particular movement pattern of the body. The SpineCor system recognizes that idiopathic scoliosis as a neuro-muscular-skeletal disorder and attempts to treat all aspects. In treating all three aspects consideration is given to both genetic growth disharmony and secondary biomechanical progression factors.


In order to obtain an accurate diagnosis that would specify a particular class and subclass for the patient, the evaluation combines a clinical exam, radiological and postural evaluation.


A specific corrective movement is performed, and the brace is applied according to the SpineCor Assistant Software instructions. The tensions in the elastic bands allow repetition and amplification of the corrective movement as the child undertakes everyday activities. This results in a progressive curve reduction. The brace is worn 20 hours out of 24. The four hours out of the brace must not be taken at once; usually patients’ take two breaks of two hours duration one in the morning and one evening. Sports are to be encouraged and done while wearing the brace whenever possible. To obtain a neuro-muscular integration of the new strategy of movement, the minimum duration of the treatment is 18 months. Due to the dynamic action of the brace slowly bringing about progressive changes in posture together with the absence of external support during the treatment muscle function is not compromised and there is no loss of correction after the brace discontinuation. Physiotherapy is NOT a necessity in the SpineCor program (SpineCor itself may be considered a physiotherapy 20 hours out of 24). However, when the patient strongly desires to undergo a physiotherapy program, or a faster consolidation of the reduction of the curve is desired, a Global Postural Re-education (GPR) program is considered. For the patients at the beginning of the treatment, physiotherapy is carried out with the brace on; for the patients in the weaning period the exercises are done without the brace. Programs are variable as these are very much tailored to individual patient needs.


To really change the natural progression of idiopathic scoliosis, it is essential to reduce the curvature enough to eliminate the negative impact of abnormal biomechanics and growth. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a complete or almost complete correction of moderate curves, if the treatment is started before the main growth spurt (before Risser 1 and menarche) as long as the genetic progression factors and or bone deformity are not too great to overcome. In curves over 30 degrees of Cobb angle, or when the treatment started during or after the main growth spurt, the goal of the treatment is a stabilization of the deformity. Therapeutic success is possible in more than 80% of cases. A reference reducibility calculated as early as at 3/4 months into treatment, is useful in defining the prognosis. However, for individual prognoses, the impact of the severity of the bone deformation, pattern of the growth and compliance must be considered.