Adult Scoliosis Bracing Study

A new study in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that a custom-molded brace could be effective in slowing the progression rate of scoliosis in adults. Thirty-eight adults with scoliosis wore a brace for a minimum of 6 hours/day, with a minimum follow-up time of ten years before bracing and five years after bracing. The average rate of progression decreased from 1.28 degrees per year before to 0.21 degrees after bracing. We can not correct an adult scoliosis but as per the study the brace can minimize further progression and it can help with pain management. The study shows significant reduction in progression. It has been my experience that close to 100% of adults get some benefit from their adult LA brace. You can find this study here

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003999316302568?fbclid=IwAR0uEEO6TL1JXiFZWb9PrdOPNPZTwbzAncTylY3B3K-Ix4kHK_GGTXzCsTk

As a child the rate of progression is much greater and we require a much more aggressive brace with full-time brace wear to control progression. While we now have more effective braces for scoliosis, like the LA brace, two curves of around 45 degrees in a child is unfortunately borderline unbrace-able.