Cheneau Brace for Scoliosis
When it comes to spinal braces, the Cheneau Gensingen Brace™ (GBW) offers patients the best option for potential scoliosis curve improvement. This Cheneau-style brace offers significant advantages over other scoliosis braces, including other types of Cheneau braces or other 3D braces. Each Gensingen TLSO is custom-created according to individual curve pattern and fully compatible with the Schroth method, a pattern-specific method of scoliosis management used to improve the spine longitudinally.
When comparing spinal braces, it is important to understand the distinctions that make the Gensingen Brace™ the best scoliosis brace available today.
Each Gensingen Brace™ is asymmetric and designed as a mirror image of the patient’s spine. The goal of this design is to induce spinal correction/overcorrection when in-brace. This translates to excellent in-brace corrections and postural improvement in 3D. Strategically placed voids (openings) at the spinal concavities recreate Schroth corrective breathing which aims to de-rotate the spine. Goals are to reduce rib prominences and spinal asymmetries to improve postural appearance while stabilizing the Cobb angle (or reduce as much as possible). Typically, this is most effective during the growth process.
In terms of comfort and wearability, the Cheneau Gensingen Brace™ offers important advantages. Each is made from a moldable, lightweight modified polyethylene. Patients find the material far more forgiving than other rigid scoliosis braces and clinicians appreciate the malleability allowing for easier adjustments/customization. This lightweight material contributes to improved comfort which facilitates compliance. The break-in period is almost immediate. The majority of patients sleep through the night after the initial fitting and find sleeping in it more comfortable than other braces.
Design differences and use of less material are especially notable in the chest and hip. The Cheneau Gensingen Brace™ is cut under the chest to avoid breast distortion. For adolescent females, this offers a critical advantage during pubertal development. Patients, especially those who have worn other braces, appreciate the open hip which allows for overcorrection and hip mobility. It makes sitting, wearing jeans, and conceal-ability easier. Front closures offer greater independence when it comes to wearing and self- adjustment.
Another distinguishing characteristic of the Gensingen Brace™ is that it may be used for patients with Cobb angles measuring 45º, 50º, 60º and greater. This fills an important void in scoliosis bracing since most spinal surgeons fail to endorse/prescribe bracing for patients in the severe category often indicating that surgery is a patient’s only option. However, many families do not want to subject their children to the risks of scoliosis surgery and prefer to explore other curve management options.
Adults are another market segment for practitioners who provide the Cheneau Gensingen Brace™. Adults with scoliosis use the brace part-time at their own discretion. With the exception of scoliosis curve reduction, the brace offers adults the same benefits it does for children – spinal support, the potential for de-rotation and improved posture.
The proprietary bracing principles used to create each Cheneau Gensingen Brace™ have been in development for years by Dr. Hans-Rudolf Weiss who has a long history with Cheneau bracing and CAD-CAM brace design. The brace boasts an impressive track record in Europe, the United States, Canada, Asia and Australia.
Other Cheneau concept braces created by independent orthotists creating their own renderings but few can consistently re-create a brace with the same level of comfort, correction potential and cosmetic effect. To offer patients the best scoliosis bracing alternative, scoliosis bracing clinicians must understand theses important advantages.
Nighttime Scoliosis Bracing
The Gensingen Brace™ can also be designed as a night-time brace for patients with mild scoliosis or with limited risk of progression. However, full-time scoliosis bracing is recommended for patients with upper mild, moderate or severe scoliosis.
Kyphosis Brace
The Kyphologic® spinal brace is a beneficial option for patients with thoracic kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis and Scheuermann’s. The principle behind the Kyphologic® brace is to reduce anterior vertebral loading. During adolescence, this allows the spine to grow and improve into a more normal physiologic position.
Adults with kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis and Scheuermann’s also opt for the Kyphologic® brace for pain management and spinal support.
Physio-logic® Brace
The Physio-logic® brace is for thoracolumbar kyphosis and lumbar kyphosis. The brace is designed to re-establish lordosis. For adults, a study by Weiss and Werkmann showed that in the short-term, significant pain reduction is possible for those with chronic low back pain due to posture.
Be a Leader in Spinal Bracing
Each of the state-of-the-art spinal brace described offers practitioners with proactive, inclusive options for patients with scoliosis and/or kyphosis regardless of age, curve pattern, classification and severity.
We are looking to expand our network to select practitioners. Currently, the Cheneau Gensingen TLSO is available in Massachusetts at Scoliosis 3DC, near Boston as well as Shriner’s Hospitals for Children in Honolulu, Hawaii and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is also available at private O & P clinics in California, in Oakland and Sacramento and in Ontario, Canada in Mississauga and Hamilton. In the Caribbean, the brace is available in Barbados.
Scoliosis Bracing Innovations, Inc. is the only authorized representative and distributor of the Cheneau Gensingen Brace™ in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. We offer extensive training and support during the ordering and fitting process. We stand behind and uphold the quality of each brace produced in the United States.
To provide your patients with the best in scoliosis bracing, please contact us for more information.
