Scoliosis
D.B.S.
Treatment of
Idiopathic Scoliosis
The D.B.S. (Dynamic Brace System) is Meditrac’s patented system used for the treatment of idiopathic juvenile, adolescent, and adult scoliosis. It is used in conjunction with the Vertetrac with the addition of a horizontal pressure force located on the apex of the curve.
The D.B.S. accounts for a number of factors; the physiological age of the patient, the physical size of the curve, the location of the curve, and the progression of the curve.
Initial treatment is the same as that with the Vertetrac, with the addition of the extra decompression force at the curve. The D.B.S. aids in pain relief and rehabilitation by helping to restore a normal upright posture, while decreasing pain and muscle spasm.
Scoliosis bracing treatments generally require 23-24 hours of continuous wear per day. The D.B.S. is designed for short daily treatments of approximately 30 minutes duration.
INDICATIONS FOR USE
Treatment with the D.B.S. is indicated if the spinal curvature is between 10-30 degrees, presenting with structural changes including rotation, and with a curve progression displaying a minimum increase of 5 degrees on two sequential X-rays.
Meditrac recommends using the D.B.S. treatment with a physician’s guidance and under the observation of a specialist.
Scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the spine, is considered the most common spinal deformity. In many cases, it can progress in terms of severity and pain. Approximately 500,000 American adults have a diagnosis of scoliosis with a spinal curve measuring over 30°. Scoliosis in adults over 20 years of age actually manifests in childhood or adolescence but is commonly overlooked until it is quite severe.
There are two different types of scoliosis: structural, and postural. Structural scoliosis presents with physical changes to the vertebrae themselves, and it cannot be corrected with a change in posture. Postural scoliosis is a spinal curve typically caused by skeletal changes elsewhere in the body like a leg length discrepancy, and can be corrected with postural changes.
Professional Info
Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis
The D.B.S. (Dynamic Brace System) is a patented system used for the treatment of idiopathic juvenile, adolescent, and adult scoliosis.
The treatment of idiopathic scoliosis is dependent upon a number of factors, including the physiological age of the patient, the size and location of the curve, and the progression of the curve. The recommended treatment using the D.B.S. varies accordingly.
Treatment Indicating Criteria:
- According to D.B.S. guideline, curves of less than 10° are not considered idiopathic scoliosis.
- The use of the D.B.S. for the treatment of curves measuring less than 20° is indicated only when the patient suffers from consistent low back pain. In these cases, treatment is recommended once a day for 30 minutes, until the elimination of pain (about 15-20 treatments). An X-ray should be taken six months after the end of the treatment to ensure that the curve has not progressed.
- For curves of 20°-30° in children who have no pain or other complaints, the recommended treatment with the D.B.S. is 2-3 times per day until maturity of the spine is reached. For those children who do report pain, treatment with the D.B.S. 3 times per day is recommended until there is no further complaint of pain or until spinal maturity is reached. For adults who report pain, single daily treatments with the D.B.S. are recommended. Adults with curves measuring 20°-30° who do not report pain are not indicated for treatment with the D.B.S.
- Patients should continue to receive treatments once a day for 2-3 years to prevent regression.
- Patients with curves of 30°-40° should begin treatment with the D.B.S. immediately. Treatment sessions are 30 minutes’ duration, 3 times per day, until maturity of the spine is reached. Patients should continue to receive treatment 1-2 times per day for an additional 6 months, and once a day for 2-3 additional years.
- In patients with curvatures above 40 degrees, D.B.S. treatment is contraindicated. Surgery is recommended.
- In all cases, Meditrac recommends X-ray imaging every 3 months to monitor the progress of treatment. If the curve progresses more than 5° at any point, the patient should immediately increase to three, 30 minute treatments per day for 3 months. At the end of this time another X-ray should be taken, and if another curve progression measuring greater than 5° is seen, the administering medical professional should immediately re-evaluate the case.
- When treating with the Vertetrac and the D.B.S., decompression forces should be administered to the highest tolerance of the patient.