Which brace would be used for scoliosis with lower thoracic-lumbar involvement?

• A. Yamamoto Brace
• B. Scottish Rite
• C. Milwaukee Brace
• D. Philadelphia Collar Brace

Answer: (C)

When a scoliosis curve involves the lower thoracic and lumbar regions, you want a brace that controls the entire trunk from pelvis up to the neck so the corrective forces can act along the full length of the spine. The Milwaukee brace provides that kind of long-spine control: it’s a full-torso orthosis with a pelvic band, thoracic components, and a neck ring that anchors the system. This setup allows three-point pressure corrections on the convex side and vertical distraction through the neck ring, which is especially useful for curves that span thoracic into lumbar areas.

The other options don’t offer the same range of control. A neck-only collar won’t affect the thoracic-lumbar curve. A TLSO-style brace like the Scottish Rite can address thoracic and lumbar regions but lacks the neck-ring traction and pelvic anchorage that Milwaukee provides for long curves. The Yamamoto brace is a different design and not the standard choice for this pattern, while a Philadelphia collar is purely cervical and irrelevant for scoliosis.

So, for scoliosis with lower thoracic-lumbar involvement, the brace that best provides comprehensive, long-spine correction is the Milwaukee brace.