Probability of Needing Surgery After Being Told You Need a Brace.

After a scoliosis curve progresses to around 25 degrees, treatment is needed to prevent progression and a brace is usually the recommended treatment. However the probability of the brace being successful varies depending on many factors including:

1) the pattern of scoliosis

2) the size of the curves (lateral/Cobb angle)

3) the size of the curve (rotation angle)

4) the degree of decompensation

5) the patient’s age (skeletal maturity level)

6) the average time wearing the brace (daily)

7) the total length of time the brace is worn (months/years)

and last but not least…

8) the type of brace you wear

    a) how corrected your spine is within the brace

    b) how well the brace maintains it’s correction

9) the skill and experience of the orthotist (brace practitioner).

Considering #8 only, based on recent studies of different brace types the probability of the curve progressing and still needing surgery will be as follows:

No brace………………………..…….50%

Spinecor brace………………………40-50%

Charleston or similar night brace.…40-50%

Boston or similar brace………….…30-40%

LA 3D brace………………………….5-15%