Effect of the milwaukee brace on vital and ventilatory capacity of scoliotic patients

Abstract

The vital capacity (VC) and the maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were studied in 29 patients with scoliosis (predominantly idiopathic). the results obtained confirmed earlier observations that scoliotic patients have decreased VC and MVV. the immediate effect of the application of the Milwaukee brace was a slight though statistically significant decrease in MV, whereas there was no significant effect on VC. Treatment with the Milwaukee brace for a mean period of 15 months did not appreciably influence the VC or MW, as a percentage of the predicted normal values of the patients, when measured without the brace applied. © 1976 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.