FAQs
Is the SpineCor® Pain Relief Back Brace available on the NHS?
No. All adult scoliosis consultations and treatments are provided on a Private Only Basis. Brace treatment, assessment and fitting fees may be invoiced collectively with x ray, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and physiotherapy fees or separately. Charging varies from clinic to clinic full details of all likely charges will be made totally transparent to you prior to making an appointment.
No. All adult scoliosis consultations and treatments are provided on a Private Only Basis. Brace treatment, assessment and fitting fees may be invoiced collectively with x ray, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and physiotherapy fees or separately. Charging varies from clinic to clinic full details of all likely charges will be made totally transparent to you prior to making an appointment.
Do I need a GP referral?
In most cases yes. If your treatment is to be paid for by a medical insurance company they will require a GP referral before they approve any treatment. If you are paying for treatment yourself (the most common practice) a GP referral is not essential although we would encourage you to obtain one as this will contain important medical information which will help your Consultant advise the best treatment for your condition.
In most cases yes. If your treatment is to be paid for by a medical insurance company they will require a GP referral before they approve any treatment. If you are paying for treatment yourself (the most common practice) a GP referral is not essential although we would encourage you to obtain one as this will contain important medical information which will help your Consultant advise the best treatment for your condition.
What are the treatment costs?
Obviously this depends on the treatment being provided and the amount diagnostic investigation required prior to treatment.
Obviously this depends on the treatment being provided and the amount diagnostic investigation required prior to treatment.
Basic Paediatric treatment: Typically a two year period of treatment (the average duration for adolescents) will cost;
- Consultant Surgeon Fees £1,000.
- Orthotic assessment, fitting, follow-up and brace components £3,000.
- X-rays £600-800.
Typically consultant surgeon fees and x-ray costs will be covered by private insurance, bracing costs are generally excluded from cover.
Basic Adult treatment: Typical costs:
- Consultant Surgeon fees £200
- Initial Bracing; orthotic assessment, fitting, first follow-up and brace components. £1,775
- X-rays £240
Typically Consultant surgeon fees and x-ray costs will be covered by private health insurance, bracing costs are generally excluded.
Listed below are the standard fees per Treatment visit/investigation.
- Consultant Spinal Surgeon:- Assessment/follow-up = £180-£200 per visit
b) Orthotic Scoliosis Treatment Specialist:- Brace Assessment/Fitting = £450
SpineCor® Brace = £1000 + VAT
Brace Follow-Up/Adjustment = £150.00 per visit
c) Physiotherapist Per session = from £65 per session
d) Radiology/Imaging Hospital department or Clinic.
X-rays = from £120
MRI = From £250 to £600
In all cases full details of all likely charges will be made totally transparent to you prior to making an appointment, these figures are given for guidance and although these represent typical costs should not be taken as absolute.
How can I pay for my treatment?
In general payment for medical treatments will be;
• Underwritten by private medical insurance
• Self pay
In the case of brace treatment (Orthotic treatment) this is rarely covered in part or full by private medical insurance. There are some exceptions; however, because these are rare, complex and very individual we cannot accept payment via your medical insurance company for this part of your treatment. In the case of the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon’s fees for treatment assessment and any ongoing treatment monitoring these will generally be covered by your medical insurance company. In which case you should not need to pay these costs directly yourself except on rare occasions. As long as we have your insurance details and you have obtained pre-authorisation for treatment from your insurance company invoices can be sent directly to your insurance company for payment to be made directly to ourselves. In the case of investigations, x-rays, MRI or blood tests these shall be invoiced separately by the hospital, clinic or imaging centre. You will be advised at the time of costs and payment procedures.
In general payment for medical treatments will be;
• Underwritten by private medical insurance
• Self pay
In the case of brace treatment (Orthotic treatment) this is rarely covered in part or full by private medical insurance. There are some exceptions; however, because these are rare, complex and very individual we cannot accept payment via your medical insurance company for this part of your treatment. In the case of the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon’s fees for treatment assessment and any ongoing treatment monitoring these will generally be covered by your medical insurance company. In which case you should not need to pay these costs directly yourself except on rare occasions. As long as we have your insurance details and you have obtained pre-authorisation for treatment from your insurance company invoices can be sent directly to your insurance company for payment to be made directly to ourselves. In the case of investigations, x-rays, MRI or blood tests these shall be invoiced separately by the hospital, clinic or imaging centre. You will be advised at the time of costs and payment procedures.
What payment methods are acceptable?
For “self pay” portions of your treatment payment should be made by Debit or Credit Card (we do not accept AMEX). Since a deposit or pre-authorisation payment will be required on making an appointment it is essential that we receive payment by this method.
For “self pay” portions of your treatment payment should be made by Debit or Credit Card (we do not accept AMEX). Since a deposit or pre-authorisation payment will be required on making an appointment it is essential that we receive payment by this method.
Will I be suitable for non-surgical treatment? Suitability can only be determined after examination and review of all necessary investigations by our specialist Spinal Consultant Surgeon.
Which treatment or treatment combinations will I be offered?
You will be offered a treatment plan most suited to your needs taking into account your preferences. Most people seeking conservative, non-surgical treatments (bracing/ therapy) do receive the treatment they seek although occasionally patients are advised against such treatment.
You will be offered a treatment plan most suited to your needs taking into account your preferences. Most people seeking conservative, non-surgical treatments (bracing/ therapy) do receive the treatment they seek although occasionally patients are advised against such treatment.
Can I receive treatment on the same day as my assessment?
Not usually; given that bracing treatment can take up to 3 hours it is not possible to organise treatment on the same day as your assessment.
Not usually; given that bracing treatment can take up to 3 hours it is not possible to organise treatment on the same day as your assessment.
How does the SpineCor® Pain Relief Back Brace work?
It changes the patient’s posture from one which mechanically drives progression of the curve to one that minimises it. This is achieved by postural rehabilitation which not only changes posture and spinal shape but also spinal loading therefore reducing pain often caused by abnormal spinal loading.
It changes the patient’s posture from one which mechanically drives progression of the curve to one that minimises it. This is achieved by postural rehabilitation which not only changes posture and spinal shape but also spinal loading therefore reducing pain often caused by abnormal spinal loading.
What are the indications for SpineCor treatment in adults?
The basic Indications are spinal deformity:
• Pain
• Posture
• Progression
Related to:
• Adult De-novo Scoliosis
• Degenerative Adult Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
• Hyper Kyphosis
• Postural Scoliosis
• Chronic Antalgic Scoliosis
• Post Traumatic Scoliosis
• Spinal Stenosis related to Spinal misalignment
The basic Indications are spinal deformity:
• Pain
• Posture
• Progression
Related to:
• Adult De-novo Scoliosis
• Degenerative Adult Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
• Hyper Kyphosis
• Postural Scoliosis
• Chronic Antalgic Scoliosis
• Post Traumatic Scoliosis
• Spinal Stenosis related to Spinal misalignment
Do I need an assessment appointment prior to treatment?
Yes! It is rarely possible to provide any of the treatments we provide without a detailed medical assessment by a specialist Spinal Consultant Surgeon. Occasionally a referral from a Consultant outside of the Healthcare UK Limited Scoliosis Clinics will be accepted if that person is known to us and has relevant experience with the treatment being requested.
Yes! It is rarely possible to provide any of the treatments we provide without a detailed medical assessment by a specialist Spinal Consultant Surgeon. Occasionally a referral from a Consultant outside of the Healthcare UK Limited Scoliosis Clinics will be accepted if that person is known to us and has relevant experience with the treatment being requested.
Will I need x-rays during my assessment/treatment?
Yes! Unless you already have relevant recent x-rays that you are able to bring with you to your assessment.
Yes! Unless you already have relevant recent x-rays that you are able to bring with you to your assessment.
Will I need an MRI scan?
Possibly; our Spinal Consultant will advise on the need for a MRI during your initial assessment/consultation.
Possibly; our Spinal Consultant will advise on the need for a MRI during your initial assessment/consultation.
Can I receive treatment on the same day as my assessment?
Not usually; given that bracing treatment can take up to 3 hours it is not possible to organise treatment on the same day as their assessment.
Not usually; given that bracing treatment can take up to 3 hours it is not possible to organise treatment on the same day as their assessment.
Will I be offered surgery?
Possibly; for some patients surgery may be overwhelmingly the best treatment and provision of non-surgical treatment may be negative. In such cases, the options will be discussed and either surgery will be offered or a referral will be made to another surgeon who is experienced in the procedure required.
Possibly; for some patients surgery may be overwhelmingly the best treatment and provision of non-surgical treatment may be negative. In such cases, the options will be discussed and either surgery will be offered or a referral will be made to another surgeon who is experienced in the procedure required.
Is Physiotherapy treatment essential with SpineCor treatment?
No; SpineCor treatment may in its self be considered a physiotherapy which in many cases is sufficient. In some cases however additional physiotherapy may be extremely beneficial in which case it will be prescribed.
No; SpineCor treatment may in its self be considered a physiotherapy which in many cases is sufficient. In some cases however additional physiotherapy may be extremely beneficial in which case it will be prescribed.
How long does it take to establish suitability for SpineCor treatment?
Assessment visits take between half to one hour excluding time taken for x-rays depending on the complexity of the case.
Assessment visits take between half to one hour excluding time taken for x-rays depending on the complexity of the case.
How long does it take to fir the SpineCor brace?
This depends upon the complexity of the case but anything from two to three hours.
This depends upon the complexity of the case but anything from two to three hours.
How long do I need to wear a SpineCor brace for?
Children: The wearing time is 20 hours per day with break periods being taken for no more than 2 hours duration at any one time. The treatment period depends on the age the treatment is started as the brace needs to be worn until completion of growth. The typical adolescent girl will wear a brace for two years. The minimum wearing period is 18 months and some patients may need to wear a brace for four or more years but this is rare for adolescents. Juvenile patients potentially could need to wear a brace for as much a 10 years if they start treatment early and the brace is successfully preventing the need for surgery.
Children: The wearing time is 20 hours per day with break periods being taken for no more than 2 hours duration at any one time. The treatment period depends on the age the treatment is started as the brace needs to be worn until completion of growth. The typical adolescent girl will wear a brace for two years. The minimum wearing period is 18 months and some patients may need to wear a brace for four or more years but this is rare for adolescents. Juvenile patients potentially could need to wear a brace for as much a 10 years if they start treatment early and the brace is successfully preventing the need for surgery.
Adults: This depends upon the severity of your problem and the treatment objective. Generally there will need to be some intensive periods of wear followed by a reduced period of daily wear. Wearing time can vary from a few hours a day to virtually full time. Your treating clinician will be able to give much more specific guidance following your assessment.
How often will I need follow-up on my treatment progress/brace adjustment?
Children: Initial Brace adjustment follow-up is advised at 4 weeks after brace fitting with the second and subsequent follow-up at 3 month intervals. Additionally each 6 months your child will require an x-ray review visit normally in conjunction with the orthopaedic spinal surgeon.
Children: Initial Brace adjustment follow-up is advised at 4 weeks after brace fitting with the second and subsequent follow-up at 3 month intervals. Additionally each 6 months your child will require an x-ray review visit normally in conjunction with the orthopaedic spinal surgeon.
Adults: Initial follow-up is generally indicated between 6 weeks and 3 months, following this 3 – 6 monthly reviews may be advised depending on the severity of the problem.
Can physiotherapy alone benefit my scoliosis?
Children: Physiotherapy alone can not prevent progression of a curve in a growing child. Whilst physiotherapy can bring about some positive postural improvements these can mask the true extent of the deformity giving a false sense that the curve progression is under control or evening a belief that it is getting better when it is getting worse. Routine 6 monthly x-ray review is an essential part of any non-surgical treatment management. You should be very suspect of anyone offering any treatment that is not medically supervised with out routine x-rays being taken to monitor progress.
The true place for physiotherapy is in conjunction with bracing or post bracing to stabiles corrections achieved during brace treatment. Physiotherapy can be very beneficial in both these situations for children but is very much case dependant therefore will not be recommended for all patients.
Children: Physiotherapy alone can not prevent progression of a curve in a growing child. Whilst physiotherapy can bring about some positive postural improvements these can mask the true extent of the deformity giving a false sense that the curve progression is under control or evening a belief that it is getting better when it is getting worse. Routine 6 monthly x-ray review is an essential part of any non-surgical treatment management. You should be very suspect of anyone offering any treatment that is not medically supervised with out routine x-rays being taken to monitor progress.
The true place for physiotherapy is in conjunction with bracing or post bracing to stabiles corrections achieved during brace treatment. Physiotherapy can be very beneficial in both these situations for children but is very much case dependant therefore will not be recommended for all patients.
Adults; In some cases yes, however, most patients presenting at our clinics have already tried physiotherapy and found in their case it to be of limited value. Physiotherapy can be of benefit;
- In mild cases we may still advise physiotherapy alone prior to bracing if it is felt this might be sufficient.
- Sometimes physiotherapy is necessary prior to commencement of bracing in order for it to be effective.
- In conjunction with bracing to help to improve the “corrective movement”, increase flexibility, increase the patients ability to actively self correct and/or to consolidate/stabilize correction.
- Post bracing to consolidate/stabilize correction of the posture.
