Learning that your child has scoliosis and may need a brace can bring a lot of questions. At Custom Orthotics of London, our goal is to make the process easier to understand and help your child feel comfortable and confident throughout treatment.
Our Certified Orthotists provide custom scoliosis bracing for children and adolescents in London and throughout Southwestern Ontario. Each brace is individually designed using your child’s X-rays, clinical assessment and 3D scan to address their unique curve pattern, growth and treatment goals.
We work closely with your child, family, physician and healthcare team throughout treatment, from the initial assessment and brace design through fitting, adjustments and growth.
Scoliosis is a three-dimensional change in the shape of the spine. While it is often recognized by a sideways curve on an X-ray, scoliosis can also involve rotation of the spine and changes in the shape and position of the rib cage and trunk.
You may notice signs such as uneven shoulders, one shoulder blade appearing more prominent, an uneven waist or one side of the rib cage appearing higher when your child bends forward.
Scoliosis is diagnosed and monitored using standing spinal X-rays. The size of the curve is measured using the Cobb angle, while your child’s age and skeletal maturity help determine how much growth they have remaining.
Not every child with scoliosis requires a brace.
Smaller curves may simply be monitored as your child grows. Bracing is generally considered when a child has a moderate scoliosis curve and still has meaningful growth remaining, particularly when there is concern that the curve may continue to progress.
Your child’s physician will determine whether bracing is appropriate based on factors such as:
The primary goal of scoliosis bracing is to reduce the risk of the curve progressing during growth.
A scoliosis brace is much more than a supportive back brace.
Each orthosis is custom designed around your child’s individual three-dimensional curve pattern. Carefully positioned areas of correction work together with areas of relief and expansion to influence the position of the spine and trunk while your child is wearing the brace.
The goal is to achieve the best possible correction while creating a brace your child can realistically wear as prescribed.
Because no two scoliosis curves are exactly alike, no two braces should be exactly alike either.
Your Certified Orthotist will begin by reviewing your child’s prescription and spinal X-rays. We assess posture, curve pattern, trunk alignment and skeletal maturity and take the measurements needed to design the brace.
This is also an opportunity for you and your child to ask questions and understand what to expect from treatment.
We use 3D scanning technology to capture your child’s body shape without the need for traditional plaster casting.
The scan is combined with information from your child’s X-rays and clinical assessment to create an orthosis designed specifically for their three-dimensional curve pattern.
At the fitting appointment, we carefully assess the position, fit and corrective areas of the brace and make any necessary adjustments.
We will show your child how to put the brace on correctly, what to wear underneath it, how to care for their skin and brace, and how to gradually work up to their prescribed wearing schedule.
Once your child has adjusted to the brace, their physician may request an in-brace X-ray.
This allows the healthcare team to evaluate how the spine is responding while your child is wearing the orthosis. Your Orthotist can use this information to assess the correction being achieved and make further adjustments when appropriate.
Children can grow quickly during scoliosis treatment, making regular follow-up an important part of the bracing process.
We continue to assess fit, comfort and function throughout treatment and make adjustments as your child grows.
Consistent brace wear is an important part of scoliosis treatment. Research has demonstrated a relationship between brace wear time and treatment success in appropriately selected adolescents with scoliosis.
Your child’s physician will prescribe a wearing schedule based on their individual curve and treatment plan.
We know that wearing a scoliosis brace can be a significant adjustment, particularly for a child or teenager. Our goal is not only to create an effective brace, but also to make it as comfortable, functional and manageable as possible.
If something about the brace is making it difficult to wear, we want to know. Often, adjustments can help.
Most children continue going to school, spending time with friends and participating in many of their usual activities throughout scoliosis treatment.
There is an adjustment period, and figuring out clothing, sleeping, sports and everyday routines can take some time. Our team will help your family understand what to expect and provide practical advice along the way.
Your child is more than their scoliosis, and we want their brace to fit into their life — not become their whole life.
The primary goal of bracing is to reduce the risk of the scoliosis curve getting larger while your child is growing. The spine will often show correction while your child is wearing the brace, but this does not mean the spine will remain completely straight when the brace is removed.
Wear schedules vary depending on the curve and your physician’s treatment plan. Some braces are prescribed for most of the day and night, while other treatment plans may involve fewer hours.
Your child should follow the wearing schedule prescribed by their healthcare team.
Scoliosis bracing typically continues while there is meaningful growth remaining and a risk of curve progression. Treatment length varies considerably from one child to another.
Your child’s physician will monitor their curve and skeletal maturity and determine when it is appropriate to begin reducing or discontinuing brace wear.
In many cases, yes. Children undergoing scoliosis bracing are generally encouraged to remain active. Depending on the activity and treatment plan, the brace may be removed for sports or physical activity.
Your child should follow the recommendations of their physician and healthcare team.
A thin, snug-fitting and preferably seamless shirt is generally worn underneath the brace to protect the skin. We review clothing, skin care and brace wear at the fitting appointment.
Some pressure is expected in the corrective areas of a scoliosis brace, particularly during the initial adjustment period. Pain, skin breakdown or difficulty tolerating the brace should be discussed with your Orthotist.
As your child grows and their body changes, adjustments are expected throughout treatment.
Successful scoliosis treatment involves communication between your child, family, physician, Orthotist and other members of their healthcare team.
At Custom Orthotics of London, we work alongside your child’s treating team throughout the bracing process — from initial assessment and custom brace design through fitting, adjustments and growth.
Most importantly, we want your child to understand their treatment and feel comfortable asking questions along the way.
Our Certified Orthotists are here to help.