Good brace compliance, reduced curve progression, and surgical rates in patients with idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract

To examine the association between brace compliance and outcome. 495 (457 females) patients with late onset juvenile and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were examined prospectively before bracing and at least 2 years after brace weaning. One spine surgeon examined all patients. 381 (353 females) answered a standardised questionnaire and 355 had radiological examination after median 24 years. Compliance was defined as brace wear >20 h daily until weaning. Main outcomes were curve progression and surgery. At weaning, 76/389 compliers and 59/106 non-compliers had curve progression ≥6° (OR 5.2, 95 % CI 3.3–8.2). At long-term the numbers were 68/284 and 46/71 (OR 5.8, 95 % CI 3.3–10.2), 10/284 versus 17/71 had been operated (OR 8.6, 95 % CI 3.7–19.9). We conclude that the risk for curve progression and surgery are reduced in patients with good brace compliance.