New approaches to the treatment of scoliosis

Customary methods of correcting curvature of the spine--surgery for severely afflicted adults and use of the so-called Milkwaukee brace for youngsters--have a number of drawbacks. Among the improved approaches now becoming available are lighter, less obtrusive braces such as an orthoplast jacket molded to the individual's torso, electrostimulation of paraspinal muscles, and implantation of a rod to distract the spine.