C. RALPH HOOPER, JR, CPO

Founder & Inventor of the Charleston Bending Brace

The Charleston Bending Brace (CBB) was developed in 1979 as a time-modified orthosis for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, designed for night-time-only wear in appropriately selected patients.

Mr. Hooper, a certified orthotist/prosthetist based in Charleston SC collaborated with pediatric orthopedic surgeon Frederic E. Reed, MD to develop a side bending orthosis intended to optimize corrective positioning during sleep.

The idea was simple but innovative

• Use controlled side-bending positioning during sleep
• Improve comfort and daily quality of life
• Support better brace wear compliance
• Provide an effective option for select patients

 

Development & Clinical Investigation

Concept Origin (1979)

Initiated following a personal family diagnosis of AIS and concerns regarding compliance challenges associated with full-time bracing

Clinical Investigation (1984)

An investigative team was assembled to evaluate side-bending, time-modified bracing for curves commonly cited a ≤40, depending on the skeletal maturity and curve pattern.

Patent (1987)

The Charl BB received patent protection following iterative clinical refinement.

Clinical Positioning

• The CBB is generally prescribed for select AIS curves
• Skeletally immature patients
• Curve magnitudes commonly in the mild-to-moderate range
• Situations where full-time brace adherence may be compromised

It is not positioned as a universal replacement for full-time TLSO bracing but as an evidence-supported alternative when appropriately indicated.

Research Record

Since initial development, more than 25 peer-reviewed publications have evaluated outcomes associated with night-time side-bending bracing.

For full citations, see the Resources section

Continuing Legacy

The Charleston Bending Brace represents one of the earliest most widely studied night-time bracing concepts and continues to be utilized within multidisciplinary scoliosis management