
On
your first visit to our office 3 types of exams will be
performed. It is necessary for the patient to where form
fitting clothing. Girls should wear tighter shorts and a
jog bra and boys should wear shorts like bicycle shorts.
Loose clothing will hinder our postural and clinical exams.
Clinical
exam : This is where we will assess the contours of
the spine using a scoliometer, which is a device to
determine the inclination at certain segments of the
spine. We will take your height both standing and
seated and we will take measurements of the chest, thighs
and spinal regions.
Postural
exam : During this exam we will assess the shifts,
rotations and contours of the patients posture using a
visual inspection and a laser inspection. Certain
types of scoliosis create certain postural deformities,
which assist in the classification of the scoliosis.
X-ray
exam : We will take 3 x-ray views during this
exam. They are a back to front standing X-ray of the
full spine, a standing side view of the entire spine and a
laying front to back view of the full spine. These
three views combined allow us to get a very good idea of the
classification of scoliosis. The back to front
standing view allows us to measure the curves using the Cobb
analysis. The side view allows us to see if the normal
curves are too flat or too curved or just right.
Finally, the laying view allows us to determine the
flexibility of the curve, which helps in determining the
prognosis for correction or stabilization.
Once all of these
exams are completed, we will enter all the data into what is
called the Scoliosis
Assistant Software, which helps us in the classification
of the scoliosis and the chances of reducing the curves. Once
we complete these exams we should know if the patient is a
good candidate for the SpineCor brace or not. If a
patient is a good candidate then we will schedule a date the
following week to return to fit the brace. If a patient
is not a good candidate then they will be referred to the
proper provider for further consultation.
We will also have a
consultation during this first visit to cover the costs of the
brace and the likelihood of insurance
helping out or not.
Brace
Criteria |
About the
SpineCor Brace | Protocol of
Care |
Your First
Visit |
Fitting the
Brace |
Follow up
Visits