The effectiveness of orthosis as a treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract

Orthosis is a non-invasive method of treatment for patients with scoliosis, in which prescribed individuals will undergo correction of their spinal misalignment with the support of a brace. The main mechanisms involved in orthosis are the internal and external forces applied by the brace to help prevent further deterioration of the spinal cord. Specifically for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), occuring in youth during the critical ages of bone development, it is essential to improve the spine’s condition as much as possible before the body fully matures. Although orthosis does not aim to correct the misalignment, it has been proven that bracing will aid in slowing down the progression of deformity. However, a common concern is that the spinal curve will regress back to its original state upon removal of the brace at the end of the treatment period. After reviewing both short-term and long-term cases of various patients who have used a brace, there is evidence demonstrating that this is not true as studies have shown more benefits to using orthosis than drawbacks, making it an effective intervention for scoliosis. When comparing those who undergo orthosis treatment and those who do not, a significant decrease in the spine’s progression was found.