Evolution of Early Onset Scoliosis under Treatment with a 3D-Brace Concept

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the evolution of all the braced patients diagnosed with early onset scoliosis in a private scoliosis center. All patients diagnosed with EOS and braced before the age of ten were retrospectively reviewed. The results have been defined in accordance with the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) for bracing criteria, and with a minimum follow-up of one year. Improvement and stabilization were considered successful treatments, while failure was considered to be an unsuccessful treatment. Successful results were observed in 80% of patients (63% worst case). In the success group, the Cobb angle was reduced from 36.3° (21–68) to 25° (10–43), with 36% of patients being initially treated only with night-time bracing. Twenty percent of the patients failed, seven had more than 45° at the last control and five had undergone surgery. This study suggests that bracing, using a modern 3D-brace concept, could be an effective treatment option for early onset scoliosis and advocates exploring its effectiveness as an alternative to casting throughout studies of higher levels of evidence.