Derotation Brace Aids Scoliosis Treatment

A new derotation brace, which offers a dynamic treatment for scoliosis has yielded positive clinical trial results.

The trials involved three groups of patients (ages 12-15). Five patients had mild curves (20-25 degrees); 10 patients had moderate curves (25-39 degrees); and, five had severe (>39 degrees) curves. The last group opted not to have surgery. Of the 20 patients in the study, 14 experienced curve improvement or remained stable, meaning there was no further deterioration in the curvature of their spines. One mild patient, one moderate patient, and two severe patients progressed to a more acute condition. Two severe patients opted out of the study.

The Derotation Brace includes anchoring parts that connect the dynamic derotation part to the spine itself. This is achieved with minimally invasive surgery necessitating two minor incisions through which the device is inserted and fixated. This central and principal working part of the device includes the plate with spring properties that produces a rotational effect on the spine. The spring properties and rebound effect of the plate permit a continuous dynamic derotational effect on the spinal column.

"All of the currently used conservative non-invasive treatments are static. The Derotation Brace is the only dynamic treatment for scoliosis in development today,” said Dr. Naum Simanovsky M.D., of the Pediatric Orthopedic Unit, Hadassah University Hospital (Jerusalem, Israel) and inventor of the device. The new brace is under development by Hadasit (Jerusalem, Israel).

Scoliosis is a complex three-dimensional deformation of the trunk, spine, and rib cage. The most common variant of a scoliotic deformity is idiopathic scoliosis, in particular, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) that may affect up to 3% of the adolescent population. The list of clinical problems associated with the affliction includes not only cosmetic distortion of the hips, back and shoulders, but also distortion of abdominal and chest organs, resulting in difficulties breathing, alteration of normal gait with associated pelvic obliquity and many other functional and social difficulties.


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