Since the London Orthotic Consultancy's scoliosis clinic opened in 2017, those with severe scoliosis - Cobb angles in excess of 40 degrees - have responded well to the combined treatment of the Cheneau-Gensingen Brace as well as Schroth Physiotherapy. We have treated a broad age range of patients between the ages of three years old to 80 years old. Below you can see some of our patient case histories and video testimonials which, in the case of our younger patients, parents have kindly given us permission to publish.
Treatment type: Cheneau-Gensingen brace, Schroth Physiotherapy
One of our three-year-old patients with infantile idiopathic scoliosis. He first came to us with a single thoracic curve with a Cobb angle of 30 degrees and he was hypermobile. He was fitted with a bespoke orthotic brace and had custom foot orthotics fitted to aid with his hypermobile pes planus (flat feet) too.
After five months of full-time wear and Schroth physiotherapy, his Cobb angle had gone down to 22 degrees. Seven months of part-time wear afterwards meant that his Cobb angle decreased again to 17 degrees. He responded to bracing treatment incredibly well and is currently wearing it for 23 hours a day, even at preschool.
Treatment type: Cheneau-Gensingen brace, Schroth Physiotherapy
One of our international, infantile scoliosis patients from Bahrain, who was two-years-old when she came to LOC. Her primary curve reduced from 44 to 27 degrees in four months. On the left, you can see her first brace fitting, and on the right, her second brace fitting.
With international patients we try to arrange appointments as often as possible – as close to once every three months as possible, as recommended. We spend time with parents to ensure they know how the brace is fitted and how to make minor adjustments.
Treatment type: Cheneau-Gensingen brace, Schroth Physiotherapy
When this female juvenile scoliosis patient came to LOC at the age of six, she had a single thoracic curve with a 30-degree Cobb angle. She had a bespoke Cheneau-Gensingen brace fitted and after two months of full-time wear and a further four months of 18-hour-per-day wear with Schroth physiotherapy, out of brace X-Ray showed that her Cobb angle had reduced from 30 to 5 degrees. Now out of the brace, but continuing with Schroth physiotherapy, her most recent review revealed that her curve was stable and had not regressed.
Treatment type: Schroth Physiotherapy
This seven-year-old juvenile scoliosis patient has been completing a home exercise program with her parent's support after three sessions of Schroth-Based Physiotherapy and is following extension sports advice. We continue to support the family to monitor the patient and review every six to eight weeks – her parents have commented on her improved posture and rib hump.
Treatment type: Cheneau-Gensingen brace, Schroth Physiotherapy
One of our 14-year-old adolescent scoliosis patients started to notice her back change during a rapid growth phase. She had a thoracic curve of 35 degrees and was referred by a specialist for a spinal brace to manage this conservatively. After six weeks of wearing a bespoke Cheneau-Gensingen Brace, her in-brace curve had reduced to 12 degrees.
She was also experiencing some rotation of her thoracic curve, which measured 13 degrees. After six weeks, this had reduced to 8 degrees out of the brace. Postural improvements are visibly noticeable from the above photo. She continues to wear the brace to seek further improvement.
Treatment type: Cheneau-Gensingen brace, Schroth Physiotherapy
We featured Ricarda in a blog post discussing her scoliosis treatment. She had a 30-degree Cobb angle and three twists when she initially visited the London Orthotic Consultancy.
After only six weeks in the brace, X-rays were again taken of Ricarda’s spine and showed a visible reduction in the shape; going from a 30-degree thoracic curve to 5 degrees in-brace. Her out of brace X-Rays reveal that her thoracic curve decreased from a 30-degree Cobb angle to 26 degrees and her lumbar Cobb angle decreased from 20 degrees to 16 degrees.
Before & After brace treatment
Treatment type: Cheneau-Gensingen brace, Schroth Physiotherapy
Angelina is a thirteen-year-old scoliosis patient who had a bespoke Cheneau-Gensingen brace fitted. Prior to treatment, Angelina had a thoracolumbar Cobb angle of 40 degrees. After six weeks of wearing the brace, her curve had reduced to 31 degrees. You can read her full story in our blog post about Angelina’s scoliosis success.
Treatment type: Cheneau-Gensingen brace, Schroth Physiotherapy
12-year-old Rares came to us with Cobb angles of 52 and 24 degrees and participated during our Scoliosis Open Day. After having his bespoke Cheneau-Gensingen brace fitted, in just two months his Cobb angle reduced from 52 to 24 degrees in-brace, his ribcage de-rotated from 18 to 12 degrees and his rib hump significantly improved. You can read his full story in our blog post detailing his scoliosis treatment.
After ten months in total, Rares continues to progress with his bracing treatment. After wearing his first Cheneau-Gensingen brace for 10 months, his out-of-brace X-rays (photos below) reveal that his thoracic curve Cobb has reduced from 52 to 35 degrees, with his lumbar curve also reduced from 20 to 17 degrees. He is now in his second brace which will hopefully see his results improve even further.
Treatment type: Cheneau-Gensingen brace, Schroth Physiotherapy
Within two months of starting Cheneau-Gensingen brace treatment, this 12-year-old adolescent scoliosis patient’s ribcage derotated from 12 degrees to 8 degrees and her Cobb angle reduced from 18 and 28 degrees to 0 and 5 in-brace.
Treatment type: Cheneau-Gensingen brace, Schroth Physiotherapy
This 14-year-old patient came to LOC with Cobb angles of 28 and 30 degrees, which, after her six to eight-week review reduced to 0 and 13 degrees in-brace.
Treatment type: Cheneau-Gensingen brace, Schroth Physiotherapy
Sinead is one of our successful adult scoliosis patients who has experienced scoliosis-related back pain since her twenties. Since starting a course of Schroth based physiotherapy course and wearing a bespoke Cheneau-Gensingen spinal brace, her rib cage has de-rotated from 16 to 8 degrees, has halted progression and she reports her pain is reduced.
The operation used to treat severe scoliosis curves is typically spinal fusion surgery; a major procedure that involves moving muscles and realigning the skeleton into place. The curved, deformed vertebrae are fused together into a single bone, putting metal screws and rods into the spine to help straighten it. Surgery typically lasts between 4 and 8 hours depending on the severity of the curve. Bone graft is then taken from other parts of the body and used to cover the implants.
Following the operation, it is necessary to spend around a week in intensive care before returning home and the first few days are often uncomfortable. Most adolescents can expect to return to school from 2-4 weeks following surgery, but pain medication may be required up to 6 weeks following. A full recovery from the procedure can take up to a year, as it can take that long for the spine to heal fully.
Spinal fusion surgery causes the fused portion of the back to become permanently stiff, as a result, returning to sports that require large amounts of flexibility (ballet, yoga, gymnastics, dance) or contact (rugby, football, karate, hockey) may take longer.
Risks of spinal fusion surgery are like that of any other major procedure and include infection, blood clots and anaesthesia complications. The added risks include permanent nerve damage to the spine and paralysis.
