Matilde’s scoliosis story

After initial bracing options in Chile fell short of expectations, Matilde’s father Felipe, a medical doctor, researched the best brace technologies worldwide. LOC’s corrective scoliosis brace and Schroth-based therapy stood out.

Matilde’s parents first discovered she had scoliosis in the summer of 2022. Her father, Felipe was reading up about the medical checks that should be done in adolescence and idiopathic scoliosis was on the list.

“We realised that our GP had never done this, and we then noticed a slight asymmetry in her back. We weren’t worried, as Matilde had a good posture and was a keen climber and did other sports too, but we asked her GP for a scan just to be sure. She explained to us that a full spinal x-ray was removed from the standard of care years ago and is only taken when scoliosis is suspected.”

However, after a visual assessment, a scan was recommended and revealed a diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Matilde was referred to a spinal surgeon, who outlined the different treatments available, including surgery. Matilde’s Cobb angle was 29 degrees and, therefore, rated as moderate to severe.

Matilde was referred for bracing treatment. The best scoliosis treatment available in Chile is a traditional brace (like the Boston brace available on the NHS). The surgeon told the family that the idea of the brace was to hold the curve and try to decrease the progression so surgery could be avoided.

Felipe recalls, “Matilde struggled with the idea of wearing it, but she did it. She is incredibly resilient. However, given the limited ambitions of the bracing treatment available in Chile, we started research focused on finding the best available brace technology to find a brace treatment that would help her more.

“We had the chance to have a video appointment with Senior Orthotist Anna Courtney where she explained to us the characteristics and benefits of LOC’s corrective scoliosis brace. After the remote consultation, we took the decision instantly and arranged to travel to London for a face-to-face assessment and fitting of LOC’s Scoliosis brace.”

Matilde was assessed by Anna in September 2022. She had a primary thoracic curve and was Risser sign 2 with lots of growing still to do. The risk of her curve progressing (i.e. getting worse) was high at 70% and exactly matched the criteria for treatment with LOC’s corrective brace.

Research has shown that the average correction in the LOC’s scoliosis brace is 86%, this compares with 50% in a Boston brace. LOC’s treatment programme for scoliosis also includes specialised Schroth-based therapy sessions provided by Scoliosis SOS.

After just four months of treatment, Matilde’s Cobb angle went down to 14 degrees. This is a testament to the efficacy of the brace and the treatment programme but also a just reward for Matilde’s adherence to both the wearing regime (22 hours a day) and the exercise programme devised for her.

Matilde says, “The first few weeks were tough as my back was adjusting to the brace, but I got used to it and I always managed to wear it for 22 hours a day. I think the exercises have helped me, and I’ve added some of them to my workout routines to make my back and core stronger and I’ve also added them to my climbing and soccer training sessions. Anna’s approach has been great since the start of treatment.

She’s been very empathetic, nice and caring with me and has always tried to help me in any way possible, particularly while I was struggling with wearing my brace for school. She helped me understand that I needed to stick with it because the brace will give me a very good life in the future. I appreciate her very much.”

Matilde’s last x-ray in September showed that the Cobb angle was near total correction. Felipe says, “Anna is both an excellent professional and a kind person and has been very supportive in every aspect during Matilde’s treatment journey.”

If you think your child or teenager has scoliosis, you can contact us directly to arrange a free virtual consultation with one of our scoliosis specialists.