I spoke to Hugh Malleson from Cymortho (www.cymortho.co.uk) this evening and he was really positive about the effectiveness of the RSC brace which was developed by Dr Manuel Rigo of E. Salva Spinal Deformities Rehabilitation Institute in Barcelona.  It is precision made in Germany by a company called Ortholutions (www.ortholutions.com) following an assessment with Hugh in which he takes many precise measurements and photographs of the spine.  The following quote comes from Hugh’s website:

“The results of the assessment, the X-rays and digital photographs are all used by Dr Rigo to tailor each brace to the individual patient. No other brace manufacturer offers such a high degree of accuracy or clinically effective orthosis made in a CAD/CAM facility. Each brace is manufactured in their state-of-the-art facility in Rosenheim, Germany to exacting standards.”

It would mean travelling to Cardiff but Hugh has an appointment next Saturday morning and we have now booked that for Chris. I wish this form of bracing had been available a year ago and then we might have considered it when Chris was first diagnosed.  Wearing the RSC brace and combining this with the Schroth exercises seems to give the best results in preventing curve progression in growing adolescents and, in some cases, even reducing the size of the curve.

I have also learnt that most of the growth in teenage children happens when they are asleep, so wearing a brace overnight really helps.  I just hope it is still possible to help him by using this…and that he is willing to do it…and I’m not too sure about that.

On the positive side I really liked Hugh when I spoke to him as he was very knowledgeable about bracing but also understanding and sympathetic about our current situation.  Let’s hope Saturday goes well!!