Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the back, brace treatment has been proven effective and prevents deterioration of the bend. In order to work properly, an intensive collaboration is required between the orthopedic surgeon and the person who makes the brace.

There are many different types of braces, we chose the Providence night brace because:

• The available literature shows that the results with this brace are just as good as with a brace that is also worn during the day.
• The advantage of being able to move freely during the day, keeping the back mobile and trained and being able to participate unimpeded in normal daily life is of great importance to us, but of course especially to the wearer of the brace.

A brace should correct the spine in all three planes. The custom-made Providence brace corrects the spine in the supine position, and therefore cannot be worn properly in a standing position. The concept is based on a bend correction of at least 70% (often we achieve more), while braces that have to be worn day and night often do not go beyond 50%. There is extra room for rotation/turn correction, breathing and room on the other side for the back to move to. The fit and the material are such that, despite the corrective effect, the brace feels comfortable after a short time, in general one can sleep well in it.

A scoliosis brace (or an orthosis) is a lightweight plastic corset with soft foam on the inside, intended to correct the position of the trunk. There are different types of braces, each with their own principles. We can distinguish between “day & night” braces, these are also called full-time braces because you wear this brace for at least 18-20 hours a day. And the “night brace”, or night-time brace called. You only wear this at night (+/-8-10 hours).

The available scientific research shows comparable results between the Providence night brace and other braces, which should also be worn during the day. This may be explained (research is still in progress) because the correction in the Providence brace is better (at least 70%) than the correction in the full-time brace, which usually does not exceed 50%.

Why this night brace?

Dutch Scoliosis Center has chosen The Providence Nocturnal Scoliosis® brace based on research data. We understand that children, often in their puberty, find it very annoying to have to wear a brace during the day. As a result, if the brace is not worn sufficiently, the desired goal, ie to prevent deterioration of the bend, will certainly not be achieved. In addition, we would like to keep the back as flexible and strong as possible. If this is possible with a brace that is only worn at night, this has major advantages in our view. There are other night braces, we chose the Providence because the most data is known about this and this brace does not assume an overcorrection of the most severe bend. Scoliosis always involves existing less serious (compensatory) bends. If a brace overcorrects the main bend, it automatically means that the existing compensatory bends can be strengthened.

With the Providence brace, in collaboration with our specialized brace maker, we can properly correct both the most important (primary) bends and the less severe (compensatory) bends.

Although there is no doubt that a brace prevents the deterioration of scoliosis, in the end we have to wait and see what the result will be. No guarantees can ever be given that surgery can be prevented, that is very dependent on each individual situation, so the result of the treatment must be carefully monitored. Our goal is always that at the end of the growth period the patient has as harmonious and symmetrical as possible, maximally mobile back and trunk, with which he can lead as normal a life as possible, in terms of work, a family and hobbies. If treatment in the Providence brace is not sufficient for this, we advise our patients further on the basis of the latest insights about the then desirable measures.

Since this brace could not be obtained in the Netherlands, the Dutch Scoliosis Center purchases the Providence Brace directly from the manufacturer, Spinal Technology, in the United States.