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Brace Management in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

  • Symposium: Pediatric Spine
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

Abstract

Skeletally immature patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis are at risk for curve progression. Although numerous nonoperative methods have been attempted, including physical therapy, exercise, massage, manipulation, and electrical stimulation, only bracing is effective in preventing curve progression and the subsequent need for surgery. Brace treatment is initiated as either full-time (TLSO, Boston) or nighttime (Charleston, Providence) wear, although patient compliance with either mode of bracing has been a documented problem. We review the natural history of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, identify the risks for curve progression, describe the types of braces available for treatment, and review the indications for and efficacy of brace treatment.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Jonathan R. Schiller MD, Nikhil A. Thakur MD & Craig P. Eberson MD

  2. Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

    Jonathan R. Schiller MD & Nikhil A. Thakur MD

  3. Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, Brown Alpert Medical School/Rhode Island Hospital, 2 Dudley Street, Providence, RI, 02905, USA

    Craig P. Eberson MD

  4. Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

    Craig P. Eberson MD

Authors
  1. Jonathan R. Schiller MD
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  2. Nikhil A. Thakur MD
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  3. Craig P. Eberson MD
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Correspondence to Craig P. Eberson MD.

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

This work was performed at the Department of Orthopaedics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI.

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Schiller, J.R., Thakur, N.A. & Eberson, C.P. Brace Management in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Clin Orthop Relat Res 468, 670–678 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-009-0884-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-009-0884-9

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