This morning, I saw a 12 yo boy with 33 degree curve with first diagnosis, and had long talk with patient and mom going over bracing options vs. observation, and gave them several good resources available through our blog and at SRS.org for further info. It is important to think through and educate the families about the pluses and minuses of bracing before starting the process. This boy is in a 50%+ risk category for progression, given the size of his curve and the number of years remaining. The brace can help in some cases to slow the curve progression, but does not actually make the curve smaller.
I wondering if he is saying that the eventual curve will not be smaller and that only the progression rate is slowed by bracing. If so, that would comport with the suggestion that bracing only delays progression.
Or he could mean that the brace will not reduce a curve from its highest measured angle.
Hard to tell from the short comment.
Comment