How a TLSO Brace Can Help Treat Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an unnatural curvature of the spine that is generally diagnosed during childhood or early adolescence. There are various treatment options available, including TLSO (Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis) braces.
When you work with our team at Durrett’s Orthotics & Prosthetics, we work as a part of your medical team to fit and maintain prosthetic and orthotic devices for a wide variety of needs. Our team shares how a TLSO brace can help treat scoliosis.
How Common is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is found in 2-3 percent of the population, meaning between six and nine million people are diagnosed annually. While the condition can develop during infancy, it more commonly develops between the ages of 10-15. Early diagnosis and intervention result in the best outcomes.
What a TLSO Brace Does
Bracing is one of the most effective treatments for scoliosis. A TLSO brace applies pressure to areas of the spine that are curved. This pressure slows the growth in these places, allowing the spine to straighten as the child grows. Surgery is usually unnecessary if the progression slows and the Cobb angle (the current standard for scoliosis measurement) is at most 40 degrees.
Wearing a TLSO Brace
Braces are only effective for actively growing spines and are generally prescribed for children and young teenagers with curvatures between 25 and 40 degrees. The brace fits under the arms, wraps around the rib cage and lower back, and continues down over the hips. Your child’s brace may need to be worn only during sleep, or it may be necessary to wear it for as long as 23 hours a day.
Staying in Touch With Your Orthotist
The length of time a brace must be worn varies between people, and you’ll see an orthotist about once every six weeks. You should reach out to your orthotist between appointments if:
- Your brace breaks
- The brace is causing you pain
- It feels too tight in any area
Minerva TLSO Brace
A Minerva TLSO brace is a spinal immobilization device worn for 6-12 weeks following surgery or dislocation of bones in the upper spinal area. This type of brace is generally worn for 24 hours a day and is only removed under the supervision of your orthotist. The Minerva TLSO brace includes a forehead strap for increased immobilization and is usually not the first line of treatment for childhood scoliosis.
Important Information About Scoliosis
Most cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, meaning there is no determinable cause, but it does tend to run in families. Fortunately, only a small percentage of kids diagnosed with scoliosis require bracing or therapy, but both treatments have excellent outcomes for most patients.
Contact Us
If your child’s pediatrician has recommended a TLSO brace for the treatment of scoliosis, the team at Durrett’s Orthotics & Prosthetics is here to help. We are a full-service orthotics and prosthetics provider and have served the community since 1958. Our patients enjoy visits at comfortable, state-of-the-art offices.
Contact us today with your questions or to schedule an initial evaluation. Durrett’s Orthotics & Prosthetics has two convenient locations in Edgewood, KY, and Lawrenceburg, IN, and proudly serves Erlanger, Florence, Covington, Fort Thomas, Union, Walton, Edgewood, Oakbrook, Taylorsport, Fort Mitchell, Hebron, Beaverlick, Burlington, Belleview, Independence, Newport, Verona, Elsmere, KY, and Cincinnati, OH.
