Spinal deformity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at the end of Chêneau brace treatment

Abstract

Background. Brace treatment is frequently used in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, due to different brace models, long-term results on spinal deformity development at the end of Chneau brace treatment are not often described and differ in results.
 Aim. The aim of this work was to analyze clinical and radiological data of AIS patients treated with Chneau braces from the beginning of treatment until the end of growth and brace therapy in order to define realistic treatment results and expectations in an everyday setting.
 Materials and methods. 52 AIS patients with Chneau brace treatment were followed from the beginning of treatment until the end of growth. Clinical data such as the initial Risser sign, age at treatment, gender, curve patterns and body mass index were analyzed.
 Results. At the beginning of brace therapy, the average age was 13.1 years and patients showed a mean scoliotic curve angle of 30.9. Four months of brace use reduced the scoliotic curve to 20.1. Nine months after the end of brace treatment and an average treatment duration of 17 months, scoliosis has increased up to 30.3 again. In children with a lower maturity status, the initial scoliotic curve was less than in more mature patients leading to less spinal deformity at the end of treatment. In addition, obese children had less scoliosis correction during brace therapy than normalweight children.
 Conclusion. In patients with AIS treated with a Chneau brace, the initial curvature correction was 35%. Nine months after the end of brace treatment, scoliotic curves identical to the deformities at the beginning of treatment could be observed.