Brace treatment for patients with Scheuermann's disease - a review of the literature and first experiences with a new brace design

Conservative treatment of Scheuermann's hyperkyphosis in international literature is generally regarded as an effective treatment approach. Physiotherapy and bracing are the first-line treatments for this condition.An average in-brace correction of > 15 degrees as was achieved using the kyphologic brace predicts a favourable outcome.The kyphologic brace leads to in-brace corrections comparable to those of the Milwaukee brace, which has previously been shown to provide beneficial outcome in the long-term.A prospective follow-up study seems desirable before final conclusions can be drawn.Future studies should focus more on thoracolumbar and lumbar curve patterns, because these patterns may predict chronic low back pain in adulthood with reduced quality of life of the patients and high costs with respect to medical care and occupational sickness leave.Surgery according to international literature is rarely necessary in this condition.