Bracing Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Not sure if your patient is a candidate for our treatment program? Check your situation against the following criteria to determine their eligibility for our program.
1. Age
From a size perspective we can make braces for children as young as ~6 years old. However, we find that children under 8 years old are more likely to have compliance issues. Alternatively, we find that kids that are over the age of 8 are more likely to be able to understand the need for the brace and are therefore more likely to be compliant with the brace wearing requirements.
As we age we lose flexibility and PC/RF becomes less correctable. By 16 years old the effectiveness starts to reduce and by age 45 the flexibility is typically too minimal to make any significant change.
Limit: Over 8 years old, less than 45 years old
2. Size
We can make braces covering a wide range of patient sizes. However, our lower limit is 22 inches girth and upper limit is 42 inches in girth. Sizes bigger or smaller than this can still be treated but are not available online through this program and you would need to be measured and fitted at a clinic.
Limit: Greater than 22 inch girth, less than 42 inch girth
3. Other Medical Condition(s)
If you have a heart condition, asthma or either breathing issue, we suggest to consult a thoracic surgeon before trying our treatment program. You may still be a candidate but should first ask your physician if pressure on your chest is contra-indicated by your other medical condition(s).
Limit: no underlying heart or lung conditions
4. Severity
Bracing is the ideal treatment for mild to moderate cases up to moderately severe cases in children and moderate cases in adults.Very mild cases may not progress or be cosmetically very noticeable and therefore not require any bracing.Very severe cases can sometimes to be too severe and requires forces that would result in skin breakdown, In very severe cases surgical options should be considered.
Limit: Mild to moderately severe cases.
5. Location
Some Pectus Carinatum (PC) and Rib Flare(RF) deformities are more difficult to correct due to the location:
a. Too High (PC)
Central Low and Central Mid Carinatum are biomechanically easier to correct. However, Central High PC is more difficult it is to correct.
Limit: Apex is less than 3 inches above nipple line
Measure from the nipple line to the apical point. If less than 3 inches then you are a candidate.
b. Too Lateral (PC)
Central Pectus deformity is more correctable than lateral deformity. The more to the side of the chest the deformity is the more difficult is to correct. Very lateral PC can still be corrected but requires a different type of brace that is made from a mold of the torso and is therefore not available through this program and only available through a clinic
Limit: Apex is less than 1.75 inches to the side of the center line
Measure from the center of the chest to the apical point. If less than 1.75 inch then you are a candidate.
c. Too Lateral (RF)
RF deformity usually presents as a forward protrusion and bracing uses front-back pressure to mold the ribs to reduce the frontwards protrusion. However, occasionally it can be more to the sides (lateral). When it is more to the sides, front/back pressure can have the negative effect of increasing the lateral deviation and therefore not improve the deformity.
Limit:90% of total width
Measure: Mark the apical points of the Rib Flare on your body. Have someone take a picture from the front or take a picture of yourself in the mirror. Pull up your picture on your computer. Measure (1) the total width and (2) the width between the apical points. Divide (1) by (2). If the value is less than 0.9 then you are a candidate. A Little confused by the math ? Send us your two measurements via the contact us page and we can do the math for you and advise if you meet this requirement.
Ready to make the improvement?
Check out our how to order instructions
Still not Sure?
Schedule an online appointment with the Pectus bracing specialist.
Or
Send us your measurements and pictures so we can help you confirm if you are a candidate