Scoliosis Brace: Considerations
The decision about which
scoliosis brace to wear depends on the type of curve and whether the patient will follow the doctor's directions about how many hours a day to wear the scoliosis brace.
Braces can be custom-made or can be made from a prefabricated mold. All scoliosis braces must be selected for the specific curve problem and fitted to each patient. In order to have their intended effect (to keep a curve from getting worse), a scoliosis brace must be worn every day for the full number of hours prescribed by the doctor until the child stops growing.
The two main types of braces used for
scoliosis treatment include the Milwaukee brace and the thoracolumbosacral orthosis.
Scoliosis Brace Types: Milwaukee Brace
Patients can wear this scoliosis brace to correct any curve in the spine. This brace has a neck ring.
Scoliosis Brace Types: Thoracolumbosacral Orthosis (TLSO)
Patients can wear this scoliosis brace to correct curves whose apex is at or below the eighth thoracic vertebra. The TLSO is an underarm brace, which means that it fits under the arm and around the rib cage, lower back, and hips.