Background Untreated idiopathic scoliosis (IS) may lead to large deformations of the trunk, limiting capacity and biomechanics functions of the chest and exercise capacity, which is closely related to changes in the functioning of the cardio-pulmonary system. The conservative treatment of IS is applied in a brace treatment and various methods of physiotherapy. However, the usage of the brace ma...

Ponseti clubfoot treatment has become more popular during the last decade because of its high initial correction rate. But the most common problem affecting the long-term successful outcome is relapse of the deformity. Non-compliance with Ponseti brace protocol is a major problem associated with relapse. Although more comfortable braces have been reported to improve the compliance, they all hav...

BACKGROUND First author attempted to analyse medical records of patients with idiopathic scoliosis for compliance with the Scoliosis Research Society brace studies criteria. A retrospective analysis of medical records of 2705 girls treated from 1989 to 2002 was carried out. METHODS Age, Cobb, Risser and menarchal status were analyzed for compliance with the Scoliosis Research Society brace st...

Objectives There is a short period during rapid growth when a scoliosis brace is most effective. In standard practice, the inbrace correction is not measured during brace casting. The first assessment of the in-brace correction in the follow-up clinic may trigger brace adjustment for improved spinal alignment resulting in delay of effective treatment and increased number of radiographs. The obj...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Physical deformities caused by adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) coupled with conservative treatment of AIS with orthesis unavoidably impacts on patients' quality of life (QoL). The present study aimed at evaluating the QoL in patients affected by AIS treated with brace. The study also sought to determine the ability of different QoL questionnaires to monitor QoL...

BACKGROUND Several reports have suggested low bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). We determined bone mineral status in patients with AIS to evaluate the effect of brace treatment on BMD. METHODS BMD was measured in 46 patients (mean age, 17.8 ± 4.9 years) with AIS (17 with brace and 29 without brace) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan and c...

BACKGROUND As one of the most common congenital deformities in children, clubfoot has long been a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. This paper describes the experience of our team with manipulation and above-the-knee brace fixation without percutaneous Achilles tenotomy for the treatment of clubfoot in newborns and infants. METHODS In the orthopedic department of our hospital, 32 infants and...

PURPOSE Non-compliance with foot abduction bracing in children with clubfeet treated with the Ponseti method is the leading risk factor for deformity recurrence. A dynamic foot abduction orthosis is believed to result in improved compliance, fewer skin complications, and fewer recurrences. A case-control trial was conducted to test this hypothesis. METHODS A prospective cohort of children wit...

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and to compare these with the effects of brace or ultrasound (US) treatment in tennis elbow. The study design used was a prospective and randomized, controlled, single-blind trial. Fifty-eight outpatients with lateral epicondylitis (9 men, 49 women) were included in the trial. The patients were divided into th...

Stress level due to existing body deformity as well as to the treatment with a corrective brace is one of factors influencing the quality of life of children with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing non-surgical management. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the stress level among children suffering from idiopathic scoliosis in relation to the method of treatment and the parameters of the def...