General information
One speaks of scoliosis when the spine is curved. The spine of patients with scoliosis appears in an S shape when standing behind the patient. It also causes an unnatural rotation of the spine within itself. Sometimes, in addition to scoliosis, there is also increased kyphosis or lordosis, i.e. a spine that is strongly tilted forward (kyphosis) or backward (lordosis). One measure for treating severe scoliosis is wearing a corset.
Indication
The use of a corset only makes sense if the spine is still growing and the direction of growth can still be influenced from the outside. This is the case with children and adolescents who are still in the growth phase. The growth must also continue for at least another 2 years if one decides to use a corset.
It is also important that a corset is only suitable for certain scolioses. For example, corsets are used for curvatures between 20 and 35 degrees of the spine. If a larger curvature exists, this measure does not help because of the severity of the twist.
In this case, a surgical procedure must usually be chosen. There are numerous types of spinal column correcting corsets. The so-called Cheneau corset is often used.
It addresses all three malformations in scoliosis and has a decurving effect on the spine by means of an increased traction. If worn regularly, the S-shape is slowly brought into a straight position. Furthermore, the corset also reduces the twisted spine, i.e. it untwists the spine.
Besides straightening the corset works similar to a splint and ensures that further growth is straightened. Corsets in general are applied to the back of the affected person. Similar to a splint, the close contact to the trunk must be guaranteed in order to achieve an appropriate effect.
For further stabilization, the splint is placed around the patient’s abdomen from the back by belt-like struts and fastened at the front in a so-called supporting strut. It is important to make sure that the entire corset fits tightly and stably. If no more independent movements of the trunk can be carried out because the corset prevents the patient from doing so, then the corset is correctly applied.
Especially for children this restriction represents a massive cut in their daily life, especially since children often do not have the insight for such a treatment yet. Since scoliosis does not cause any complaints in the early stages, it is very difficult for children to understand the necessity of a corset. It is extremely important to start treatment early on, since severely curved spines often cannot be treated with this method.
The same applies to spinal columns that no longer grow.
- Therapy of scoliosis
Depending on the severity and orientation of the scoliosis, a corset is recommended or discouraged. A lateral deviation of up to 10° is usually still considered physiological and does not require treatment.
Only a deviation of the so-called Cobb angle of more than 10° is officially called scoliosis. From an angle of about 20° onwards, urgent intervention is required. In this case, treatment is usually provided by physiotherapy.
This is intended to prevent the progression of a disease as far as possible. If the Cobb angle is more than 25°, the fitting and wearing of a corset is absolutely recommended. From an angle of 50°, a surgical intervention should normally be performed.
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