Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) affects many teenagers and often requires early intervention to prevent curve progression to surgical thresholds. A recent pilot study [1] in the European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology evaluated the effectiveness of ScoliBrace, a fully customized bracing solution, in managing AIS.
Study Snapshot
Participants: 30 female patients aged 9–13 years with a median initial curve of 29°. All participants had a Risser score of 2 or lower (a scale used to assess skeletal maturity) and were either pre-menarcheal or within one year of menarche. This is significant because it indicated that these patients still had potential for skeletal growth and therefore, curve progression. All patients had a typical right thoracic or left lumbar curve.
Time Frame: Effectiveness was monitored over 21 months, with follow-ups at skeletal maturity and 6 months post-treatment.
Method: Patients wore the brace daily, with wear time tracked via thermal sensors. Curve measurements and quality of life data were collected.
Key Findings
Curve Reduction
- Significant improvement in 54.17% patients by more than 6° at 21 months of brace wear. Over half of the patients had significant improvement.
- 100% of patients who were followed to 21 months of brace wear remained at 50° cobb angles or less (under the surgical threshold).
- At baseline, curves had a median of 28.5 degrees. At 21 months of brace wear curves had a median of 22.5 degrees.
Staying Below Surgical Threshold
- 87% of patients remained below the surgical threshold, surpassing the 72% success rate reported in the widely recognized BrAIST study [2*], which used a more traditional brace. Patients who progressed to surgery were non-compliant with brace wear or refused the treatment.
Consistency Matters
- Increased hours of brace wear were associated with greater patient results.
Quality of Life
- Patients reported a slight increase in pain, likely due to the early stages adjusting to the brace, but showed improved satisfaction with their scoliosis management journey.
This pilot study confirms that ScoliBrace offers an effective, non-surgical solution for managing AIS. The results align with, or even surpass, those of traditional bracing approaches. By emphasizing the importance of early intervention and consistent treatment, the study highlights ScoliBrace’s potential to improve both clinical outcomes and the overall patient experience.
If you’re navigating scoliosis, these findings highlight the importance of modern bracing solutions, like ScoliBrace, as a promising approach to treatment.
Questions about ScoliBrace?
The ScoliBrace is a custom made brace, designed and made for each individual patient. For kids and teens, the brace’s over-corrective approach and asymmetrical design harnesses spinal coupling, not 3 point pressure, for the best possible clinical outcomes.
If you have questions about ScoliBrace or bracing treatment in general, get in touch with a ScoliBrace Provider near you.
References
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Lim, K. B. L., Mak, H. K. W., Abdul Rahaman, S. H., Ong, L. L., Ooi, S. Y. J., & Lee, N. K. L. (2024). A pilot study on the “ScoliBrace” in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology, 10.1007/s00590-024-03845-6. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/
s00590-024-03845-6 -
Stuart L. Weinstein, Lori A. Dolan, James G. Wright, and Matthew B. Dobbs. Effects of Bracing in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis. N Engl J Med 2013;369:1512-1521. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1307337
*The BrAIST study only provided data on the percentage of patients that did not progress beyond the surgical threshold*
