Scheuermann's kyphosis--long-term results of Milwaukee braces treatment.

A review of 203 patients with Scheuermann's kyphosis is presented. The modified Milwaukee brace was used in 62 patients. Thirty-nine patients wore the brace for an average of 18 months. The pretreatment kyphosis averaged 62 degrees, and the curve at the completion of brace treatment averaged 41 degrees. Follow-up of more than 18 months after brace wear showed an average 15 degrees loss of correction. Wedging of the vertebral bodies improved from 7.9 degrees to 6.8 degrees with brace treatment. To provide permanent correction, vertebral wedging must improve to approximately 5 degrees. Most patients will require full-time brace wear of longer than 18 months to effect this improvement in vertebral wedging. The brace can improve kyphotic curves greater than 75 degrees.