Scoliosis Brace

A scoliosis brace is used to stop a spinal curve from getting worse. The brace must be worn for the full recommended number of hours every day until the child stops growing. As the child nears the end of growth, the need for a brace depends on how the curve affects the child's appearance, whether the curve is getting worse, and the size of the curve.

 

An Overview of Scoliosis

Many children who are sent to the doctor by a school scoliosis screening program have very mild spinal curves that do not need scoliosis treatment. However, when a child does need scoliosis treatment, the doctor may send him or her to an orthopedic spine specialist.
 
Doctors will suggest the best scoliosis treatment for each patient based on:
 
  • The patient's age
  • How much more he or she is likely to grow
  • The degree and pattern of the curve
  • The type of scoliosis.
 
Different scoliosis treatments the doctor may recommend include:
 
  • Observation
  • Bracing
  • Surgery.
 

Scoliosis Treatments: Bracing

Doctors may advise bracing as scoliosis treatment in order to stop a curve from getting worse. Bracing may be used when:
 
  • The person is still growing and has a curve of more than 25 to 30 degrees
  • The person is still growing and has a curve between 20 and 29 degrees that is getting worse
  • The person has at least two years of growth remaining and has a curve that is between 20 and 29 degrees.
 
However, females who have started their monthly period should not use bracing.
 
As a child nears the end of growth, the indications for a scoliosis brace will depend on how the curve affects the child's appearance, the size of the curve, and whether the curve is getting worse.
 
(Scoliosis Brace Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD