Estimating the Final Outcome of Brace Treatment for Idiopathic Thoracic Scoliosis at 6-month Follow-up

Objective: The study was conducted on the possibility of predicting the final outcome of bracing for idiopathic scoliosis at a follow-up period of 6 months.

Methods: In a retrospective study, 62 adolescent female patients with right thoracic scoliosis (20-40 degrees Cobb angle) treated with a brace were examined. A new compliance score was developed. The sample was divided into four groups based on compliance (compliance score) and initial correction (half-year after start bracing): group A, good compliance/high initial correction; group B, good compliance/low initial correction; group C, bad compliance/high initial correction; group D, bad compliance/low initial correction. The final outcome (1 year after weaning) was defined as successful if a curve correction of at least 5 degrees was achieved. The influence of factors on final outcome was analysed by ANOVA. Differences between continuous data were analysed by a two-sample Wilcoxon test.

Results: The overall final outcome was not successful (thoracic curve -3 degrees). However, the average outcome of the compliant group was successful (-5 degrees), while no success was achieved without good compliance (+5 degrees). High initial correction of more than 40% (p < 0.002) and good compliance (p< 0.004) were of significant impact for the outcome. Patients showing good compliance and high initial correction presented a successful outcome of 7 degrees Cobb angle.

Conclusion: Compliant patients with a high initial correction can expect a final correction of around 7 degrees, while compliant patients with low initial correction may maintain the curve extent. Bad compliance is always associated with curve progression.