Use of modern spinal braces in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract

This review presents an analysis of scientific papers on the conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis with spinal braces. Insufficient awareness of brace treatment for spinal deformities is often the reason for the negative attitude of orthopedists toward brace therapy and the conservative treatment of scoliosis in general. In world practice, braces have been the primary and scientifically proven technique for conservative treatment of intermediate forms (grades IIIII) of scoliosis in children and adolescents for over 50 years. Modern spinal braces are active orthopedic products that provide three-dimensional correction of the existing deformity and prevent the progression of scoliosis. The main goal of using braces is to eliminate the pathological displacement of the vertebrae, ribs, and pelvis to a physiological state by applying pressure to specific body areas and actively correcting the deformity. Using a brace is the only non-surgical method to treat scoliosis with scientifically proven efficiency. The poor results of using braces to treat scoliosis are primarily due to insufficient correction in the brace, non-compliance with the wearing time, and the lack of adjunctive therapy. The efficiency of brace therapy depends on three main factors that require the personal involvement of the patient: the time of wearing the corset per day, the degree of correction in the corset, and constant (daily) training of the back muscles. The results of recent multicenter studies confirm the efficiency of using braces to treat idiopathic adolescent scoliosis.