Neurogenic Scoliosis Literature Review and Current Treatments

Mr. Stewart Tucker, MBBS FRCS(Eng) FRCS(Orth) : Mr. Stewart Tucker is a Consultant Spinal Surgeon, with 25 years of Consultant experience.

In 1998 he successfully completed his MBBS at the Middlesex Hospital, UCL and later went onto undertake his FRCS at the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1992.

He was appointed Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore in 1998, and worked there from 1999-2014. He has worked at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children for the past 20 years.

He has a specialist interest in both childhood and adult scoliosis/kyphosis, degenerative cervical and lumbar disease, spinal trauma and spinal tumours, and complex revision spinal surgery.

Mr. Tucker is an internationally recognised specialist in scoliosis surgery in which he has published numerous peer reviewed articles and presented at Conferences worldwide.

Martin Matthews :  Martin Matthews qualified in 1981 as an orthotist from Salford Polytechnic College, before moving to Norwich in 1991, where he developed his speciality in paediatrics and scoliosis management, working closely with other allied health professions in combined therapy / orthotics clinics at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, United Kingdom before setting up DM Orthotics Ltd to develop non- rigid splinting for neurogenic presentations.

He encompassed innovation in the field of orthotics and developed dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFOs) over the last 20 years. In 2008, he was awarded a research Master of Philosophy Degree (University of East Anglia) investigating the effects of DEFOs on the child with diplegic crouch gait and has collaborated with fellow researchers to publish numerous papers on scoliosis management using DEFOs to slow or reverse scoliosis in children with cerebral palsy without the need for rigid bracing in international peer reviewed journals on scoliosis orthotic intervention including AACPDM, SOSORT, ISPO, BAPO and AAOP academic meetings.

He is an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Plymouth working toward a PhD by publication on is writing up a systematic review on the Effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFO) for managing scoliosis in children and adolescents.

Esther De Ru, PT : Esther was educated in the Klapp, Erna Becker and the Bugnet methods during her study to become a physiotherapist in 1977.  Esther started working with children with IAS early in her career, and she became an Orthopedic Manual Therapist, trained in both Votja and Bobath, and started working with children with Neuromuscular - and Syndromic scoliosis.  Esther has seen firsthand the horrific development of those not treated, those who have had numerous surgeries, and the pulmonary distress so many of these patients face.  This has motivated her to raise awareness of the extra difficulties these patients have to deal with, to discuss their 24/7 postural care, and to initiate the best preventative treatment possible.

Luke Stikeleather : Luke Stikeleather is the Founder, President, and Chief Orthotist of National Scoliosis Center, where he serves patients nationwide and worldwide in Fairfax, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. Luke is an internationally recognized scoliosis expert, serving as an Associate Fellow with the Scoliosis Research Society, the 2018-’19 president of the International Society of Spinal Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), and contributing to non-operative treatment studies. He is also involved with various scoliosis support organizations and has been featured in notable publications and news programs. In 2004, he introduced the Rigo Cheneau brace to North America and has since adapted it with technological advancements, continuing his research on treatment methods. Luke holds a bachelor's degree from James Madison University and completed a post-graduate certificate program in orthotics at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Chintan Pancholi, PT : Dr. Pancholi-Parekh completed her Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT) in 2001 and completed her post professional clinical doctorate degree (DPT) in 2005 both from Rutgers University, formerly known as UMDNJ, Newark NJ. She has provided for both pediatric and adult patients in a range of settings including, school based, EIP, outpatient, aquatics, acute care, sub-acute, and SNF. Her professional development has included advanced NDT training, Sensory Integration training and in C1 and C2 Schroth based scoliosis specific exercises from the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS), Schroth Certified from the German ISST and Level I of SEAS. For over a decade she has worked with PRNY (Scoliosis Speciality Center), rising to become a partner in 2007 and is currently the Vice-President and the Director of Physical therapy, and serves as a mentor to the staff within the organization for new therapists for neuro pediatrics and scoliosis specific patient population.