New braces for teen's with scoliosis
 By Karen Meyer
June 7, 2007 (WLS) -- Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves too much in the wrong direction. If not corrected, it can be painful and cause other physical problems.
Scoliosis is more common in young girls, and many are afraid of wearing a heavy unattractive metal brace. But, things have improved. One in five teenagers with scoliosis needs to wear a back brace 18 to 20 hours a day. A new brace is a light and invisible.
Kimiko Cacioppo, 12, is a sixth grader a Wood Dale Junior High School. She is bright, outgoing and very athletic. But, last fall, things changed when the school nurse noticed something was wrong with her spine. She was tested for scoliosis. Then, things started going downhill
"I didn't want to wear the brace, and I was scared to hear I had scoliosis," Kimiko said.
After she was diagnosed, Kimiko's aunt, Maureen Hawkinson, says she changed.
"She went from the healthy role model to, 'Oh she's sick what do we do?'" said Maureen. "She had this big obvious brace. So then, everyone was looking at her, and her self-esteem changed drastically."
Kimiko changed physically, as well.
"Kimiko came in, and she's walking all lopsided," Maureen said.
It was hard for Kimiko's mom Cathy to understand what was happening to her daughter.
"Is she gonna be disabled? Is she not gonna to be able to do things anymore?," said Cathy.
Maureen found Dr. Tom Pappas, a chiropractor.
"For about 40 years, we've seen the Milwaukee-style braces with the rods and metal collars and a rod worn metal collar worn around the waist," said Dr. Pappas.
"We also see the rigid-type Boston braces, kind of like a big turtle shell that they'll wear and they go from the hip to under the arms," the doctor added. "We've come around now with a soft brace that works extremely well. It has changed the way scoliosis is being treated conservatively."
Luckily for Kimiko, the soft brace is working.
"It's underneath the clothes so you can't tell," Cathy said. "She's a young girl, and she's wearing clothes that are not baggy. They're fitted so she could be out with her friends and she could do active things."
"She's started with a 26-degree curve in the brace," Dr. Pappas said. "She's down to a five and a seven on our last couple of reveals."
Kimiko is looking forward to an active summer.
"I like to play sports and run," she said.
For more information on scoliosis and braces, go to www.midwestscoliosis.com or call 1.800.516.6272
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