Article

The Milwaukee brace is an efficient method for correcting
hyperkyphosis before skeletal maturity. However, loss of correction in long-term
follow-up is inevitable. OBJECTIVES: To determine loss of correction and factors
affecting the loss of correction. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: A
total of 49 corrected patients by Milwaukee brace participated minimum 2 years
after treatment completion. The participants were categorized into two groups
based on their roentgenograms: Group 1 (n = 36) had kyphotic curves of 45 degrees
or less and Group 2 (n = 13) had kyphotic curves of more than 45 degrees .
RESULTS: The mean loss of corrections for Group 1 and Group 2 were 3.80 degrees
(ranges = 0 degrees -13 degrees ) and 12.92 degrees (ranges = 8 degrees -22
degrees ), respectively. Group 1 showed no significant difference between the
average hyperkyphosis of the patients for the part-time and full-time treatment
duration (p = 0.02). By contrast, a significant difference was observed between
the average hyperkyphosis of patients in Group 2 for the part-time and full-time
treatment duration (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with kyphosis of 60 degrees
or less who can save the correction in full-time orthotic treatment in part-time
treatment may have the least loss of correction over time. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As
the orthotic treatment is a time-consuming method that needs the close
collaboration of patient and treatment team, it is possible that clinicians
predict the probable result of treatment and efficiency of orthotic treatment.
Thus, a clinician can abandon orthotic treatment and refer the patient for an
operation.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2013.

Langue : ANGLAIS