WCR (Wood-Cheneau-Rigo) Brace

The WCR Brace is a thermoplastic scoliosis brace modeled on a hyper-corrected cast of the patient. This brace corrects in 3-dimensions an uses significant pressure and expansion areas built into the brace to provides correction in all anatomical planes. Within a WCR brace (left) sagittal (side) plane normalization and de-rotation are achieved by lengthening the spine and adding ventral (front) and dorsal (back) pressure systems.
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The patient’s curve type is identified from the Rigo Classification System using an individuals X-rays and clinical photos.Each WCR brace is designed by Grant Wood, CO specifically to the classification and presentation of the spine and is unique to each patient. Dr. Manuel Rigo has personally consulted on WCR Brace cases for verification of the patient’s curve classification and scoliosis brace design as well.  With the measurements taken by our certified orthotists a model is created and is then modified in CAD (computer-aided design), carved from foam with CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) and finished by hand. The brace is fabricated in house at Align Clinic and sent to Active Life. ​
Jed Jacobson
​CPO, Certified WCR specialist

Only an orthotist certified by Align Clinic can evaluate for and fit WCR scoliosis braces.  There are a limited number of Board Certified Orthotists in the United States that can fit the WCR brace, and Active Life is the exclusive provider within all of Southern California.  Our CPO Jed Jacobson is the only practitioner certified in the WCR style brace in Southern California.  His primary clinic is in Orange County, California, however he provides clinics in San Diego County and Los Angeles County for the WCR brace on a regular basis.  Jed has been a certified practitioner for 10 years and is your primary contact for WCR consultations, evaluations, scanning, fitting, follow-up, repairs and adjustments. ​​​

Boston Brace Style

The most-commonly prescribed brace for scoliosis today is the Boston brace. Many people know the Boston brace as a type of thoracic-lumbar-sacral orthosis (TLSO). Other types of Boston brace models do exist, such as a CTLSO (TLSO with a neck extension) for a high thoracic curve, though they are not as common. A Boston brace is typically made from one of several prefabricated mold options. After the orthotist (person making the brace) selects the mold that best fits the patient’s size and curve type, corrective pads and trim lines (cutouts) are strategically added to the brace by following a blueprint specific to the patient’s scoliosis curve.  The Boston brace works by applying corrective pressure on the convex (outer) side of the curve and cutting out corresponding areas of relief on the concave (inner) side of the curve so the spine can migrate in that direction.  The brace opens in the back, so the patient may need help getting into and out of it.
McAfee, MD, Paul C. (12/08/2016).  Types of Scoliosis Braces.  Retrieved from https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/scoliosis/types-scoliosis-braces

Nighttime Bending Braces (Charleston & Providence Styles)

The most commonly-prescribed nighttime brace is the Charleston bending brace. It is custom-fitted based on a cast taken of the patient’s torso. After the cast is created, corrective forces are added to the brace based on readings from the spine’s x-ray.  The Charleston bending brace is intended to be worn by laying down, not while up and moving. As such, the brace is able to apply stronger forces and is not restricted by considerations for the head to remain balanced over the pelvis.  In addition to applying lateral forces to push the curve closer to the back’s midline, the Charleston bending brace also applies pressure to bend and holds the spine in an overcorrected position. While it would be unrealistic for someone to be bent so far to the side while trying to go about the day, this extreme position can be held relatively easily at night while laying down and sleeping.

Similar to the Charleston brace, the Providence brace applies a hypercorrective force on the spine that is only feasible while laying down and sleeping at night. However, instead of bending the spine’s curve in the opposite direction like the Charleston brace, the Providence brace slightly elevates one shoulder and directly applies lateral and rotational forces on the curve (or both curves if it is a double curve).  The Providence brace is capable of pushing the curve toward the midline or beyond in some cases.  Sometimes physicians have more experience with either the Charleston bending brace or Providence brace, and have a personal preference for prescribing one or the other.
McAfee, MD, Paul C. (12/08/2016).  Types of Scoliosis Braces.  Retrieved from https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/scoliosis/types-scoliosis-braces