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Boston brace vs. Cheneau brace

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  • Boston brace vs. Cheneau brace

    I need some advise please. My daughter age 12 has a 30 degree curve, progressed from 17 - 30 in the last 2 years. Dr. suggests Boston brace, but found Gez Bowman and his L.A. (Cheneau type) brace which would not be covered by insurance. I am considering Schroth also. Which should I choose? I just want the best brace, best result possible and the easiest to wear. It is such a big decision, it is really weighing heavily on me. Any similar experience or insight would be most appreciated.

  • #2
    Hi Jenny's Mom,

    I know how heavily these decisions weigh on us as parents - I think we all have been there

    I was once told by a medical professional - when discussing how different braces compare to each other (Boston, Providence, Cheneau, etc.) - that a brace is only as good as the orthotist fitting it - and the compliance of the patient. I've also heard the saying 'a brace is a brace is a brace' and I'm not sure I disagree with that (just my opinion).

    In other words, in many cases, if one well-fitted brace works, then probably another type of well fitted brace would have worked as well (meaning that perhaps that particular curve was more responsive to bracing, rather than a very aggressive curve that would not respond to ANY brace). Of course, there are exceptions where you may find that one type of brace works better for a particular patient than another.

    You can probably find all sorts of data out there - positive and negative - on each and every type of brace - it's enough to overwhelm anyone.

    My son has worn a Boston, Providence and Charleston with similar results and similar in-brace correction. These were fitted by two different orthotist, both of whom I consider excellent.

    Also, a good orthotist will fit the brace as comfortably as possible. A lot depends on how well the child tolerates bracing in general. My son is pretty easy going and didn't seem to have any real issues with any of the braces he wore (of course I'm sure he'd rather not have had any!)

    Of course, talk to your doctor - perhaps get the opinion of another orthopedic specialist - and then trust your Mommy Instincts!

    Hope this helps.
    Last edited by mariaf; 06-30-2010, 09:49 AM.
    mariaf305@yahoo.com
    Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
    Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

    http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

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    • #3
      Thanks very much for taking your time to help.

      Comment


      • #4
        I'm curious why you think your insurance won't cover it. Sometimes their first answer to something is "no" - just because that's how they're set up. But if your Dr. writes a letter stating why he thinks something is necessary, they'll allow it.

        For example, my son has von Willebrand's Disease. When we were looking for new insurance, we were initially turned down because of that. We had his Dr. write a letter explaining how this disease isn't really that big of a deal and the insurance company then accepted us.

        Basically, it doesn't hurt to have an actual person read the claim and deciding vs. accepting the automatic disapproval.

        (hope I'm making sense here!)
        Mom to 11 year old DD who was:
        diagnosed 5/09: 8*L, 8*T
        braced 7/10: 17* L, 25*T, 20*C
        x-ray 11/10: 7*L, 17*T, 20*C (x-ray immediately OOB)
        most recent x-ray 06/11: 17*L, 24*T, 22* C (x-ray 24 hours OOB)

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        • #5
          Thank you for your response. I receieved a letter in writing that the prescription for a TSLO brace can only be filled with their designated provider. I asked the Dr. if he would consider writing a prescription for a Cheneau brace and the answer was no. I called the insurance provider to ask if I could pay the difference and they said that the Dr. would have to write the prescription and justify why we needed a different brace. I think it is a battle that cannot be won as the Dr. I beleive really don't believe bracing works.

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          • #6
            We were in your shoes about 7 months ago. I read a report on Boston brace that 80% of the compliant users were successful in maintaining their curves and no progression occurred. They had to wear the brace everyday for 16 plus hours for success.

            Long term success with brace
            http://www.scoliosisjournal.com/content/4/1/17

            Compliance = success for most pt needs to wear brace for 16 to 23 hours a day
            http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/jul10/clinical1.asp
            age 15
            Daughter diagnosed at age 13
            T20 l23 10-09
            T27 L27 1/2010

            T10 L 20 in brace 4/2010
            T22 L25 12/2010 out of brace
            T24 L25 7/2011 out of brace

            Type 1 diabetes- pumping
            Wearing a Boston brace and Schroth therapy
            Faith, Hope, and Love- the greatest of these is Love

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            • #7
              I was researching Cheneau brace and the Orthotist did not recommend his brace for my dd double curve. He thought her type of curve would most likely progress. I felt turned off by that and decided to go with Boston.
              the one the Schroth clinic rec was located thousand of miles away and I didn't think it was practical for us if a problem came up he would be too far away to adjust the brace. the cost was double.
              Although some on here have had excellent results with that brace over Boston. I decided to go with the one covered with insurance...we also incorporate Schroth PT therapy and integrated manual therapy.
              age 15
              Daughter diagnosed at age 13
              T20 l23 10-09
              T27 L27 1/2010

              T10 L 20 in brace 4/2010
              T22 L25 12/2010 out of brace
              T24 L25 7/2011 out of brace

              Type 1 diabetes- pumping
              Wearing a Boston brace and Schroth therapy
              Faith, Hope, and Love- the greatest of these is Love

              Comment


              • #8
                Hi Jenny's Mom-

                A Cheneau brace is a TSLO brace, so I am unsure why they would not fill the prescription. I am guessing that the Cheneau is not available where you are, and maybe that is the reason it could not be filled? Either way, you may be able to get your pediatrician or family doctor to fill out the prescription for a Cheneau, and then take it to an orthotist who makes the Cheneau brace.
                Last edited by bas2101; 10-06-2010, 09:21 AM. Reason: addition

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by bas2101 View Post
                  Hi Jenny's Mom-

                  A Cheneau brace is a TSLO brace, so I am unsure why they would not fill the prescription. I am guessing that the Cheneau is not available where you are, and maybe that is the reason it could not be filled? Either way, you may be able to get your pediatrician or family doctor to fill out the prescription for a Cheneau, and then take it to an orthotist who makes the Cheneau brace.
                  If her case is like ours, it's not that the RCS brace isn't considered a TSLO (it is) but because there are so few people who make them. The particular orthotics practice in our area doesn't take our insurance.
                  Mom to 11 year old DD who was:
                  diagnosed 5/09: 8*L, 8*T
                  braced 7/10: 17* L, 25*T, 20*C
                  x-ray 11/10: 7*L, 17*T, 20*C (x-ray immediately OOB)
                  most recent x-ray 06/11: 17*L, 24*T, 22* C (x-ray 24 hours OOB)

                  Comment

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