cranial remoulding
orthoses (cranial helmets)
At the Hodgson Orthopedic Group, our Orthotists work collaboratively with the BC Children’s Hospital Plagiocephaly Clinic and Neurosurgery to provide babies with head shape differences comprehensive treatment using Cranial Remoulding Orthoses (CRO) or helmets. Your baby may have flat areas or asymmetry in his/her head, tight neck muscles (torticollis) or require corrective surgery for premature closing of head sutures (craniosynostosis).
Current evidence shows that treatment success is influenced by early intervention and time wearing a helmet. On average, helmet wear ranges from 3-6 months, 23 hours/day. We capture your baby’s head shape using a light scanner and all fittings and adjustments of the custom high temperature thermoplastic cranial remolding helmets are done in our clinics. The inner foam liner allows for modifications throughout your baby’s treatment such that only one helmet is required.
In order to make this helmeting journey a bit easier, we also provide comprehensive education and support you with regularly scheduled follow-ups to ensure optimal correction and protocol compliance. For more information please contact our office.
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custom foot orthoses
The health and condition of your feet can have a huge impact on your quality of life and ability to go about your daily activities. Whether you have plantar fasciitis, sore feet or ankles, arthritis, excessive pronation, or diabetic foot concerns, the certified orthotists at Hodgson Orthopedic Group can fabricate custom foot orthoses to address these and many other pathologies and conditions.
Our orthotists will create a plan for you based on your symptoms, a static and dynamic assessment, and your goals and lifestyle. The design of the custom foot orthoses and the materials selected to fabricate them is always based on your unique needs. We will also discuss the importance of proper footwear and can provide assistance to help you select appropriate shoes for your feet.
Our clinicians will complete a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis to assess the mechanics of your feet and how this may affect the rest of your body. The orthotist will then take a custom mold, ensuring your feet are carefully held in a corrected position during this process. Once your foot orthoses are fitted, we can make adjustments in our workshop to continue to provide the best fit for you and your feet.
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custom orthoses (bracing)
When you see the Orthotist at Hodgson Orthopedic Group for a custom brace (also known as an orthosis) you will be engaged in a process of developing a treatment that involves, but is not limited to, a brace. This process is based on goals that you and your Orthotist set. A thorough functional assessment of your muscular and skeletal system will be performed to establish the best treatment plan for you. Our Orthotists pursue creative solutions to unique challenges based on assessment findings and patient input.
As patients’ physical needs change we follow up to re-design our braces and treatment plans to keep up with these changes. Through regular follow ups, strategic adjustments and reassessment of goals, the staff at Hodgson Orthopedic strive to maintain ongoing relationships with patients and to continually improve their quality of life.
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functional electrical stimulation
Portable Functional Electrical stimulation (FES) is a new and exciting alternative to wearing externally applied braces (AFOs or KAFOs) on your leg for improved walking. FES internally stimulates your nerves to help you regain your foot and knee control and improve your quality of life.
We provide patients with the clinical support of the Bioness (www.bioness.com) FES systems. These systems have been shown to be effective for those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Stroke or Brain-injury. The portable FES system can improve ankle range of motion, control knee motion, and reduce the effects spasticity on walking. All this without needing to worry about footwear.
We have designed a fully integrated assessment and extended three week trial program. We want to give our patients a chance to learn how to use the FES system and assess whether or not it is right for their lifestyle and goals.
Whether you are looking to stop tripping from foot drop or to improve your knee stability, FES is a powerful empowerment tool. Please contact our office to join in on our next screening day.
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scoliosis management
The goal of Orthotic intervention for kids and teens is to prevent the progression of the spinal curve to assist growth in a more linear manner. There are several ways to brace your spine. Your Orthotist will complete a physical assessment, review your x-rays and talk to you about your goals and lifestyle, so together your unique orthotic spinal treatment can be decided upon.
Adult scoliosis can result in serious back pain which can be debilitating. For adults, bracing is focused on reducing pain caused by scoliosis. Scoliosis in adults can cause: pain in the low back, cramping muscles, shooting pain in the legs, hip pain and an inability to get a good night’s sleep. A custom scoliosis brace can reduce these symptoms by realigning the spine, reducing nerve impingement, and supporting fatigued muscles.
Differences between each brace stem from how the scoliotic curve has developed and the right position to correct your specific curve. A few common designs are the Milwaukee brace, Boston brace, Charleston bending brace and the 3-dimensional (3D) asymmetrical brace. The 3D asymmetrical brace differs from the others because, as the name suggests, it assumes your spinal curve progresses in three dimensions (front-back, side-side and rotation around the spine); the others are based on a two-dimensional theory (side-side, and rotation). The most commonly used style of 3D asymmetrical brace is known as the Cheneau brace. The Cheneau brace has been used for patient treatment in Europe since the early 70’s and has more recently been gaining popularity as the treatment of choice in North America.
Can my curve
get better?
We consulted with the Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), leading international group of medical professionals researching the best ways to provide conservative scoliosis care. SOSORT acknowledges the research for the Cheneau style bracing is of high-quality evidence and a worthwhile option for scoliosis treatment. At Hodgson, we use Cheneau style bracing along with three-dimensional CAD CAM modelling techniques to create precise in-brace correction necessary to treat your unique spinal curve.
Although the best way to treat scoliosis treatment is still debated amongst the experts, the evidence in many research studies clearly shows that physiotherapy exercises such as the Schroth method, practiced in conjunction with bracing significantly improves patient outcomes. There is a strong connection indicating that the more hours each day the brace is worn, the less likely the curve is to progress.
We at the Hodgson Orthopedic Group work closely in a multidisciplinary team environment to optimize your scoliosis treatment process based on current literature research. Our team includes you, your family, physiotherapists, and physicians to achieve the best possible result for your spine.
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The Hodgson Orthopedic Group works closely with The ScoliClinic to bring an interdisciplinary approach to bracing and physiotherapy.
For more information, please visit the ScoliClinic to learn about their approach to scoliosis specifc physiotherapy.
