Noah

Noah is a 12 year-old boy who was diagnosed at an early age with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (RTS), a rare developmental disorder first described in 1963 by Dr. Jack Rubinstein and Dr. Hooshang Taybi. RTS is characterized by short stature, moderate to severe intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, and broad thumbs & first toes. Other common conditions associated with RTS include eye abnormalities, heart & lung defects, dental problems, & obesity. Scoliosis is also a common complication involved with this condition.

Today, Noah is mentally at about the level of a 3 or 4 year-old, and does not verbalize or speak. Noah's parents consulted with Dr. Glenn Robinson at the CLEAR Scoliosis Treatment Advancement & Research (STAR) Clinic in Dallas, Texas, and were very hopeful about the possibilities. He first came to the clinic on June 1st, 2009, and despite his handicap, Noah was a model patient. Dr. Robinson stated, "Due to Noah's inability to follow directions, most of the exercises we prescribe to our patients were just not possible. Yet I was amazed at Noah's willingness to cooperate with the different treatments, and his mother was incredibly supportive, by his side every step of the way."

Noah was first diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 3. He wore a brace for several years, but the scoliosis continued to worsen. He first presented with a thoracic Cobb Angle from T3 to T11 of 64 degrees, and a lumbar Cobb Angle from T11 to L4 of 27 degrees. Over the course of a 2-week intensive treatment program, his thoracic curvature improved 20 degrees, down to 44, and his lumbar reduced down to 21 degrees.

Since Noah couldn't do any physical exercises, he was sent home with detailed instructions on how to use the Scoliosis Traction Chair (STC). This would be the only therapy he underwent at home until he returned to the CLEAR STAR Clinic for additional treatment in five months, and he was in the STC for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening, every day.

Noah and his mother returned for continued treatment on November 9th, 2009, and were pleased that he had maintained 100% of the correction he achieved, using only the STC

After two additional weeks of treatment, his Cobb Angles had further reduced to 35 degrees thoracic and 17 degrees lumbar. This is a total improvement of 39 degrees since June.

Noah is a true Success Story, and an inspiration to us all!