Our team is educated, friendly and willing to help you and your son or daughter navigate non-operative scoliosis care.
To that end, we encourage you to learn more. Here are some helpful links:
Support
Success Stories: Hear from patients of the National Scoliosis Center.
Books: We’ve compiled a list of scoliosis books for children, tweens, teens, and families to help them understand scoliosis, bracing, and the journey ahead.
Girls: Talk to other girls with scoliosis, contact Curvy Girls and find a group near you!.
Boys: Contact either National Scoliosis Center (Fairfax or Baltimore)—we do have quite a few boys who have gone through or are going through treatment and we are happy to connect you.
Scolios-us: A web-based platform intended to empower scoliosis patients with the tools and resources they need to be successful brace-wearers.
ScolioBend: This app includes informative articles on types, symptoms, and treatments of scoliosis, as well as common myths about the condition. The app offers a list of resources and contacts that can be helpful for patients and their families during the treatment process. Christine Sinn, the founder, and creator is a former patient. Read more about Christine here.
We also invite you to search our website for other resources on going to school, fashion, brace cleaning, and more.
Information
Medline Plus: Helpful links with easy-to-read descriptions and definitions.
Scoliosis Research Society: Good source of basic information.
National Scoliosis Foundation: General information on scoliosis.
The Center for Young Women’s Health: Good resource for young girls.
Setting Scoliosis Straight: Dedicated to pediatric spine research, scoliosis education & awareness, and improving treatment for children living with spinal disorders worldwide.
Scolios-us: a web-based platform intended to empower scoliosis patients with the tools and resources they need to be successful brace-wearers.
Spinal Dynamics: Located in Wisconsin, this site has great information about scoliosis physical therapy and what to look for even if you don’t live in Wisconsin.
Scoliosis Physiotherapy & Posture Centre: Located in Ottowa, Ontario, offers scoliosis physiotherapy (physical therapy).
Scoliosis Bracing: Everything You Wanted to Know: Luke’s Interview with Dr. Derek Lee, host of Scoliosis Spine Surgeon Interviews (he has many great interviews with scoliosis professionals).
Scoliosis Insights: Learn more about scoliosis from our experts and colleagues.
Out-of-Town Patients
Our patients come from all over the United States, Canada, and sometimes further. To ensure patients experience a smooth and enjoyable visit, we utilize special procedures to accommodate traveling families. These include a condensed appointment schedule, assistance with lodging, and ongoing communication with your referring doctor back home.
Typically, our patients make two visits a year, each lasting 1-2 days in the office. Schedules vary, however, a typical out-of-town agenda follows:
Initial Visit
Day 1: At 8am, the patient is scanned to obtain custom measurements for their brace. Afterward, the patient and their family generally spend the day visiting the area including the National Mall, with world-class museums and historic monuments. Our Orthotists block off a significant portion of their day to design and fabricate the brace. The patient returns for a 2-hour appointment in the late afternoon for the brace delivery and fitting. This 2nd appointment may be moved to Day 2 if the patient prefers a later start time.
Day 2: The next morning, the patient returns after wearing the brace for the remainder of Day 1 and overnight. They will also get an EOS in-brace X-ray at this time to determine in-brace spine correction. Based on these images and any areas of discomfort, adjustments are made by our Orthotists at this time. Afterward, the patient generally returns home.
6-Month Follow-Up Visit
Day 1: The patient comes in for an out-of-brace EOS x-ray and our Orthotists make changes to the brace based on growth, changes in curvature, or any areas of discomfort. This visit usually requires a 1-night stay, with the patient returning home after the appointment.
We generally need to repeat this 2-visit cycle every year until the child has reached skeletal maturity. However, if the patient’s Orthopedist does not recommend a new brace at the 1-year mark, the patient will only need to come in for a brace tune-up and any recommended adjustments based on the out-of-brace X-ray.
Fashion Tips
Here are a few fashion tips to discreetly wear your brace:
Use Patterns – Patterns will busy the eye to make the lines of the brace less noticeable
Wear loose-fitting clothing – Loose-fitting tops can conceal the piece
Layer clothing – Typically, this is done with wearing a form-fitting tank and a loose shirt or sweater over
Draw attention to other areas – Necklaces, cool shoes, or a shiny pair of earrings can draw the eye away from the torso
Longer hair – The most visible part of the brace is the top edge, rear view. Having longer hair can either completely hide or soften the edge.