Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) represents over 80% of all diagnosed cases of scoliosis in children. Scoliosis can progress quickly when the skeleton is still growing or during hormonal changes.
Skeletal maturity occurs at the age of approximately 14 to 17 for females and 18 to 22 for males when the bones and spine are no longer malleable. If started young enough and depending upon maturity and magnitude of curvature, scoliosis bracing treatment can reduce the curve and Cobb angle and significantly reduce the requirement for surgery in later life.
Visible improvements in posture and rib hump after just 4 weeks of wearing the Cheneau-Gensingen brace. Mild cases of scoliosis may self-correct as a child grows. However, it is important that any existing curvature is monitored closely to check progression, particularly during periods of rapid growth during puberty.
For more serious cases (Cobb angles in excess of 25 degrees) we recommend non-surgical treatment with our bespoke version of the Cheneau brace, the LOC Scoliosis Brace.
The patient pictured was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at the age of 14 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 her condition conservatively. After 6 weeks of wearing a bespoke Cheneau-Gensingen brace her curve in-brace had reduced to 12 degrees.
If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, you will naturally want to know whether the curve will get worse particularly if your child has not reached full maturity.
A number of scientific studies have established a risk factor or formula to estimate the risk of scoliosis progression for children with idiopathic scoliosis. In general, the more growing a child with scoliosis has to do; the greater the chance is that their scoliosis will get worse. As a young child’s skeleton is immature and can undergo rapid periods of growth during puberty, their scoliosis can rapidly progress during these growth spurts.
For instance, a 2017 study found that at the beginning of puberty, children with curves greater than 30 degrees had a 100% risk of progression to what is within surgical range (>45 degrees); while children with curves 21 – 30 degrees still had a 72.5% risk of progressing to that stage. (source: Charles, Yann Philippe; Daures, Jean-Pierre; Rosa, Vincenzo de; Diméglio, Alain (2006): Progression risk of idiopathic juvenile scoliosis during pubertal growth
Based on the magnitude of a curve present in a child at a particular stage of skeletal development, we can predict their likelihood of progression. Because every child is different, age does not directly correspond to a given stage of puberty, so one needs to factor in a combination of bone/skeletal age (determined by Risser sign), age, and the Cobb angle of the curve.
LOC can calculate the risk for you if you provide the following information:-
Please send the information to: [email protected], with the subject line: Scoliosis risk of progression calculation
One of our scoliosis clinicians will respond promptly and if it looks like your child does have a significant risk of curve progression, treatment options can be discussed in an initial free virtual assessment
Apprentice orthotist Catherine Hendy’s journey into the world of prosthetics and orthotics began in an unconventional way. After completing a degree in art, she then trained as an orthotics technician, before taking up an apprenticeship to become a clinician. Now, she’s been nominated for the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) Student of the Year 2024.
Amelia was diagnosed with tightness in her neck by her GP before her plagiocephaly diagnosis. Clinician Jo Drake treated her with a LOCband Lite cranial remoulding helmet, which improved her overall head shape and asymmetry.
What are lower limb orthotics, and how can they improve mobility and reduce pain? We've put together this summary of the different kinds of lower limb orthotics, from AFOs and KAFOs to more complex orthotics like RGOs, and how they can help patients with their mobility goals.
Barney's very severe flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly) and diagnosis of torticollis led to successful helmet therapy with the LOCband, significantly improving his head shape, going from 27mm asymmetry to 12mm.
“It’s life-changing, my swimming coach has even remarked what a difference my treatment has made" Read how pectus bracing treatment helped to correct Aris' complex chest deformity, involving a combination of pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum and rib flaring.
Cerebral palsy patient Lucas sees significant improvement in his walking after only six months in his new custom Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs), designed by Professor Saeed Forghany in our Manchester clinic. Hear how a detailed gait analysis and bespoke AFOs significantly improved Lucas's gait and comfort.
Freddie’s positional plagiocephaly was treated successfully with the LOCBand Lite, going from 11mm to 2mm after four months in his helmet.
Adult club foot (talipes) patient Natasha says, "I cannot stress how amazing my AFOs are and how they have changed so much for me. The support they give me allows me to walk without crutches outside the house for the first time in over fifteen years."