RESULTS
Brief Case History
14 year old female first inquired about corrective care in June, 1994. She is an adopted child, family medical history unknown. Previous radiographic films dated 11/9/93 were reviewed and confirmed with new films taken in June 1994. Case management discussions were started with patients HMO, finally receiving authorization to begin treatment in November, 1994, 5 months after initial consultation. Treatment plan was outlined and prognosis was given that corrective care was expected to take 3-4 years (which was later modified to be less than that). During course of treatment, patient's adopted parents separated and began lengthy divorce proceedings, which added an additional element of stress to the patient. During the course of treatment, patient initial was very compliant, but after 6 months, became less compliant, so that during the remaining course of treatment, she was considered to be approximately 60% compliant in all phases of the program, with the exception of wearing the brace, which she was 90% compliant, averaging 16 hours of wearing time daily.
The following images are a record of her progress: She was at Risser 3 when she started care. All measurements are using the Cobb method. Curve levels are T3-T10 and T11-L4. IN brace figures are illustrated to show this patients potential correction and the OUT of brace figures show the attained correction. She is now 22 years of age.
Even without full compliance, this patient had a reduction in the T11-L4 primary curve of 35%, reducing from 40 degrees to 26 degrees, which was attained after 1 year of treatment and has continued to hold to this date. Her secondary curve reduced 33%, from 12 degrees to 8 degrees. Both areas of correction are essentially unchanged for a period of 7 years.
