Treatment of Scheuermann's disease with the active-passive Gschwend erection corset

In a retrospective study of 31 patients we give a report about the experience with the Geschwend-brace in the therapy of acute M. Scheuermann. The indication for therapy with this brace was given if there was no possibility to stop the progression of the kyphosis by intensive physiotherapy. During the whole time of therapy the brace could not be removed by the patients. Within a follow-up of 24 month in average after the end of brace treatment, we saw a permanent correction of kyphosis of 18 degrees in 22 patients (71%). In 2 patients there was no change of kyphosis and in 7 patients (22%) we saw a progression of 7 degrees. An erection of the wedge-shaped vertebrae we couldn't see in our patients. Permanent correction of kyphosis by Gschwend-brace could be achieved by starting the therapy early, long enough time of treatment about 1,5-2 years and a good compliance.