[Final results of the conservative treatment of scoliosis using the Milwaukee brace].

At present, we survey the final results of 62 patients having been treated by a Milwaukee brace. The average curve amounted initially to 35 degrees. There succeeded a primary correction to 32 degrees. At start of weaning the initial angle of 35 degrees was reached again. During the weaning period an evident deterioration of 39 degrees occurred, and at the follow-up control 6 years after the end of weaning the curve was 42 degrees on the average. Thus, our own results are somewhat more unfavourable than those of Mellenkamp et al. In 1977, they reported the results of 47 patients who could be submitted to a follow-up control. The mean scoliotic curve of these 47 patients amounted to 44 degrees at start of treatment, at the last control, on the average 5 years after weaning from the Milwaukee brace, the mean angle was about 40 degrees. Essentially, we could prevent the progression of the curvature, too. If there occurred deteriorations in comparison with the initial angle, they were usually caused by a few patients who developed a drastic deterioration of their scoliosis.