Could trochanteric pelvic stabilization be removed from the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis brace? A prospective pilot study

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common musculoskeletal deformity in children. There is a dose-response relationship between compliance and improvement in scoliosis. The literature revealed that esthetic considerations have negative consequences on the quality of life (QOL) of patients and consequently on wearing time of the brace. To minimize esthetic problems and then increase QOL and wearing time, we proposed a new relay brace named “corset Collerette” without a pelvic-trochanteric base. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the rehabilitation department of Bordeaux University Hospital. Patients consulting for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were registered in a prospective hospital database. The patients expressing unwillingness to wear the usual brace or who had decreased compliance were offered the corset Collerette and were included in a 3-month follow-up. Outcome measures assessed at baseline and at 3 months were Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes Questionnaire (SRS-22) and Brace Questionnaire scales and wearing time. Cobb's angle evolution since the start of bracing was also collected. The primary end point was the QOL assed by the SRS-22 scale at 3 months of follow-up. Results: The first 38 patients agreeing to wear the corset Collerette were included in the study. The QOL assessed by the SRS-22 was significantly improved with the corset Collerette (p < 0.05). There was no significant increase in wearing time and thoracic Cobb's angles between baseline and follow-up (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The switch to the corset Collerette allowed an improvement in the QOL of the patients and avoid a decrease in compliance with wearing the brace and maintain the same in-brace Cobb's angles.