June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month, and the goal of National Scoliosis Awareness Month is to highlight the growing need for public education, early detection and awareness about scoliosis and its prevalence within the community. For information on National Scoliosis Awareness Month 2023, visit the Scoliosis Research Society at www.srs.org.

For National Scoliosis Awareness Month, we invite you to get to know our Pittsburgh scoliosis clinical experts a little better!

Laura Mullin
Clinical Director Pediatric Orthotics

What is your biggest joy working with Scoliosis patients?
I enjoy being part of a multidisciplinary team working alongside the orthopedic surgeons in clinic and collaborating with physical therapists to maximize the outcomes for our patients. We successfully avoid surgery for so many of our patients which is very rewarding.

What is your biggest challenge working with Scoliosis patients?
Compliance is always the challenge. The braces are not very noticeable and are not painful, but wearing it the necessary hours for treatment lasting years is not a small commitment.

What is the bit of information you stress to each patient that you feel results in the best outcomes?
Wearing it snug is key to it being effective.
 

Dan Wilson
Certified Orthotist, Certified Pedorthist

What is your biggest joy working with Scoliosis patients?
When I am at clinic and the doctor informs the patient that they are skeletally mature and can discontinue their brace, and they have not progressed to needing surgical intervention. I see all kinds of reactions; from huge smiles, to laughter to tears of joy. Some literally jump up and down. Some then say they want to keep their brace and others say they want to burn it or destroy it in some creative way as soon as possible!

What is your biggest challenge working with Scoliosis patients?
Getting young patients to understand how important it is to wear their brace as instructed. It is difficult for some to understand what is best for themselves long term.

What is the bit of information you stress to each patient that you feel results in the best outcomes?
When I literally draw the “graph” that shows the benefit of the brace in relation to hours worn it seems to drive home the importance of wearing the brace at least 18 hours per day.

Gina Colosimo
Certified Prosthetist Orthotist

What is your biggest joy working with Scoliosis patients?
I love seeing the “before and after” x-rays revealed at clinic alongside the doctors, patients and parents. Allowing the patient to see their curve prior to bracing and after bracing gives them excitement and determination to keep wearing the brace.

What is your biggest challenge working with Scoliosis patients?
Compliance… But I’ve noticed that when the patient is spoken to directly and as a part of the conversation with the parents / guardians, they become more compliant because they see it as their responsibility.

What is the bit of information you stress to each patient that you feel results in the best outcomes?
Tightness is key! The tighter the better. And it will show at x-ray appointments. Commonly, we see patients come in wearing a loose brace and have concerns about discomfort in the brace. Most of the time, the resolution is to tighten the brace because it is holding the body in place where the brace was built to contact. When a patient wears the orthosis loose, the body is sagging into the orthosis and holding pressures are no longer contacting correct areas of the body leading to the discomfort they are feeling.

About Union O & P

Union Orthotics & Prosthetics Co. is a family-owned and operated company with over 100 years of service in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We have always been dedicated to providing the highest quality of patient care with a professional and compassionate approach. Our services and techniques are continuously being upgraded to achieve the highest standard of excellence. Union O & P is proud to provide patients with resources to stay active and connected with the community.

Locations

Union Orthotics & Prosthetics Co. and De La Torre Orthotics & Prosthetics Co. now offer 18 locations throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Services may vary by location.