Hailey is a 12 year old girl who was diagnosed with Idiopathic Scoliosis (a curve of the spine) recently. As could be expected, she was not thrilled with the proposed course of treatment: wearing a brace!

Many people, especially girls and boys who have scoliosis hear horror stories about others who had to wear a device. But Hailey and her Mom Sue quickly learned the horrors were mostly imagined.

After seeing Dr. Erik King, they were prescribed a TLSO (back brace) to control the scoliosis. Hailey was referred to Mark Devens, CPO, because of his expertise in Scoliosis bracing.

Mark met with Hailey and her mom, and discussed the type of brace and potential outcomes; they understood the scoliosis would never ‘go away’, but could be stopped from getting worse.

It also helped that Hailey was a bright, cheerful, intelligent and cooperative patient. She had been diagnosed 2 years ago, and knew bracing was her only non operative option. When it came time for bracing Hailey said, "Let's just get this thing started, because I really have no other choice and I will just have to adapt!"

Hailey was fit with a Wilmington-style TLSO, and she quickly saw how cosmetic it was. In fact, most of her friends and classmates can’t even tell she is wearing a brace.

Most importantly, the results thus far show excellent curve correction, and she is tolerating the brace as well as participating in all of the activities she did before getting the brace.

When it was all done, Hailey’s Mom Sue remarked, "Hailey and I like Mark! I know he made Hailey feel so comfortable about getting a brace, which really made this transition much easier than I had expected (and which is no small feat with a 12 year old girl!). He does a wonderful job explaining everything, and has an ability to evoke an 'I know I can do this' attitude to his patients." 

Hailey and her Mom understand she will need to follow up closely with the doctor, and she will need a new brace about every year. Chances are good her scoliosis will not progress, though it still can. Mark and the staff at MD LABS will do all they can to see that it doesn’t!