Handbook for Patients

Brace Treatment for Spinal Deformity

Brace treatment (orthosis) is often recommended for increasing scoliosis or kyphosis in the skeletally immature patient. Bracing is recommended for moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis. There are many types of braces, all designed to prevent curves from increasing as the adolescent grows. The orthosis acts as a buttress for the spine to prevent the curve from increasing during active skeletal growth. Braces will not make the spine straight and cannot always keep a curve from increasing. However, bracing is effective in halting progression in a significant percentage of skeletally immature adolescents.

What Does Successful Brace Treatment Require?

  1. Early detection while the patient is still growing
  2. Mild to moderate curvature
  3. Regular examination by the orthopaedic surgeon
  4. A well-fitted brace that is replaced if the child outgrows it
  5. A cooperative patient and supportive family
  6. Maintenance of normal activities, including exercise, dance training, and athletics, with elective time out of the brace for these activities as supervised by the physician.
Continue to "What Happens if the Curve Requires Surgery?" »
The Scoliosis Research Society provides information on these web pages regarding research and links as a public service. The SRS believes that patients should contact their treating physician about the relevance of any information listed on the site prior to proceeding with any particular treatment. Just as no two individuals are exactly alike, no two patients with a spinal deformity are the same. Therefore, your spinal deformity surgeon will be the most important source of information about the management of your particular spinal problem.