A new cervical-thoracic orthosis: Clinical report of seven cases

A new cervical-thoracic orthosis is described which provides cervical-thoracic stabilization, and is possibly less intrusive, less conspicuous, and more comfortable than other orthoses currently available. It rests and pivots on the wearer's shoulder, thereby transferring the weight of the head, via the shoulder pivot, to the wearer's shoulder and midsection. Our admittedly limited results show that the orthosis is relatively cool and comfortable, easy to clean, and aesthetically pleasing as it can be worn under clothing and concealed from general view. The orthosis is formed from one continuous piece of a suitably rigid material and generally conforms to the contours of the wearer's body. One size fits most users; however, it can be customized to conform to the contours of the wearer, even while the wearer is positioned in a corrective posture. The orthosis can also be used to incrementally adjust the position of the wearer's head or the curvature of the wearer's spine. A preliminary process for mass producing the orthosis has been demonstrated with a view toward a more sophisticated method of manufacture. Physicians have prescribed the orthosis for seven patients, and the initial qualitative results presented here are quite encouraging.