Milwaukee brace

Milwaukee Brace

The Milwaukee brace, also known as the Cervico-Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis brace, is a type of orthopedic brace primarily used in the treatment of spinal curvatures such as scoliosis and kyphosis. Pronounced as "mil-wau-kee brace", the etymology of the term is derived from the city of Milwaukee in the United States where it was first developed.

History

The Milwaukee brace was developed in the 1940s by Dr. Walter Blount and Albert Schmidt at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. It was the first modern brace designed to correct spinal deformities in all three planes: coronal, sagittal, and transverse.

Design and Use

The Milwaukee brace consists of a plastic pelvic girdle, metal uprights, a neck ring, and pads that apply pressure to the curve apex. The brace is typically worn 23 hours a day, and treatment usually lasts until the patient has finished growing.

The brace works by applying corrective forces to the spine, encouraging it to grow in a more typical shape. It is most effective when used to treat mild to moderate curves in patients who are still growing.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of the Milwaukee brace in preventing curve progression and avoiding surgery has been proven in numerous studies. However, it does not cure scoliosis or permanently correct the existing curve. The goal of brace treatment is to prevent the curve from getting worse and to maintain a more natural body appearance.

Related Terms

• Orthopedic brace
• Scoliosis
• Kyphosis
• Spinal curvature
• Medical College of Wisconsin

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Milwaukee brace
• Wikipedia's article - Milwaukee brace

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