One of the most common pathologies of the spine, found in both children and adults, is scoliosis. It is impossible to cure the curvature with medications; for its correction, a complex of measures is used, which includes physiotherapy exercises, massage and wearing a special corset. In many cases, such measures help stop the progression of the disease, and in children lead to straightening of the spine. Corset for scoliosis is one of the main and most effective methods of treatment. Such devices to relieve stress on the back muscles have been used since the Middle Ages. But now there is a wide variety of corsets for various purposes. Therefore, when choosing the right medical device, you need to consult a doctor.
Scoliosis: treatment
Corset with this disease is used quite often. Indeed, curvature of the spine requires rigid fixation and partial unloading of the muscles. This helps relieve pain and further disease progression. Scoliosis is characterized not only by curvature of the spinal column. Often patients experience back pain, shortness of breath and impaired function of the internal organs.
Therefore, it is advisable to stop the development of the disease in time. But some experts consider
corsets for the back with scoliosis a temporary measure. They say that such devices can lead to muscle atrophy and deterioration after stopping wearing them. Therefore, the decision on methods for treating scoliosis should be made individually in each case. And, besides wearing a corset, it is imperative to use other ways to correct curvature: massage, gymnastics and breathing exercises. The sooner treatment is started, the better results can be achieved. The spine is especially good for correction in children under 18 years of age. Therefore, it is at this age that the corset is most effective for scoliosis. But to stop the curvature of the spine, you need to follow some rules:
- perform special gymnastics and breathing exercises;
- Useful sports, especially swimming and dancing;
- regularly need to conduct a massage course;
- for a bed, choose a hard orthopedic mattress;
- when working at the table, you need to take breaks every hour and change your body position as often as possible.
Corset Functions
Only in some cases is wearing this orthopedic device necessary. But basically it performs a supporting role. Why wear a corset for scoliosis:
- it stops the progression of the disease;
- fixes the spine in the correct position;
- stretches and straightens it;
- improves the functioning of internal organs;
- unloads the back muscles and reduces the load on the spine;
- helps in correcting posture.
What are corsets
Now there are many orthopedic devices for the spine. They are rigid and elastic, in the form of a belt or straps, covering part of the back or the entire spine. There are special posture correctors for correcting stoop. Such semi-rigid corsets and declinators are used at the initial stage of spinal curvature. They are also needed for the prevention of the disease. Corsets, intended for the treatment of later stages of scoliosis, are divided into two groups:
- Supportive corset is mainly prescribed for adults. It is designed to relieve spinal stress and reduce pain. It also prevents the progression of the disease.
- Corrective corset to correct scoliosis is often used to treat children. When wearing it, you need to follow certain rules, and they select such a device strictly individually.
Supporting Corsets
Completely correct the curvature of the spine with their help will not work. Therefore, such corsets are used in cases where bone growth has already stopped. Their function in this case is to prevent the progression of the disease and relieve stress from the spine. Wearing a supportive corset reduces back pain, removes muscle spasms and supports the spinal column. Treatment with it is prescribed individually, but usually the course is 2-3 months, and it must be repeated regularly.
Such a corset is worn from 6 hours to a day (depending on the condition of the patient's spine). It supports the
spinal column in the correct position and prevents its further curvature. One of the varieties of such corsets are declinators. These are elastic ribbons in the form of a figure eight, worn on the upper half of the chest.
Corrective Corsets
In childhood, the back muscles are still weak, so scoliosis often progresses rapidly. But you can still fix it, until the ossification of the skeleton has occurred. In the initial stages, this is easy to do with physiotherapy, massage and posture control. And with a large degree of curvature, a corrective corset is prescribed. And they do it most often to order by individual standards. And since you need to wear it for a long time, as the child grows, you will have to change it. Corrective corset with scoliosis not only fixes the spine in the correct position, but also prevents the displacement of the vertebrae.
There are several types: Boston, Chenot model, Lyons, Ramuni corset and domestic design by Valentin Dikul "Samurai". When treating scoliosis with a corrective corset, you need to follow some rules:
- at first they wear it, taking off only occasionally;
- every three months it is necessary to monitor the condition of the spine using x-rays, and if the disease does not progress, you can reduce the time you wear a corset;
- To strengthen the muscles of the back , sports are mandatory: swimming, training on simulators and physiotherapy exercises.
Only with an integrated approach and daily monitoring can scoliosis be cured in a child.
Corset chenot
This type of corrective device for the treatment of scoliosis is considered the most effective. It straightens curved vertebrae not only in the vertical, but also in the horizontal plane. Chenot corset is a plate made of special lightweight material and soft foam padding, providing pressure on the convex parts of the spine.
Such a device is made only on order for individual plaster casts. Only then it will turn out comfortable and free, and will effectively correct the curvature of the spine. The Chenot corset is effective in the second, third and even fourth stages of scoliosis. To get used to this design, in the early days it is worn for several hours a day, gradually increasing the wearing time. You need to be able to properly tighten the corset so that it does not squeeze the body much. You need to wear it as much as the doctor prescribed, but usually all day with a short break.
Rules for the use of such devices
A corset for the spine in scoliosis is selected only by a doctor. It takes into account the degree of curvature, the type of disease and other factors. In order for the treatment to be successful, you must follow all the doctor's recommendations and follow certain rules:
- you need to get used to a tight corset gradually, increasing the wearing time by 1-2 hours every week;
- regularly, every 3 months, it is necessary to control changes and take an x-ray;
- under the corset put on thin cotton or linen clothes without seams;
- it must be worn constantly according to the scheme recommended by the doctor;
- the resulting abrasions on the skin do not need to be smeared with anything, if the skin is heavily frayed, then the corset is incorrectly selected;
- during the correction period you can not lift weights;
- when using such treatment for a child, it is necessary to change the corset every year;
- necessarily, together with corsetting, you need to perform special exercises to strengthen the back muscles;
- you can’t abruptly stop wearing a corset, after examination, the doctor may recommend gradually decreasing the time spent in it.
Application efficiency
Many patients have successfully used a corset for the spine in scoliosis. The price of such a fixative, depending on the degree of the disease, can be from 500 rubles to several thousand. And special corrective corsets, made to order, cost 30-40 thousand rubles. But, according to parents, such devices effectively relieve even serious curvature of the spine. And if you follow all the doctor's recommendations, then after a few years the child can return to normal life with a flat back.