European Braces for Conservative Scoliosis Treatment

Several published articles suggest that an untreated progressive idiopathic scoliosis (IS) curve may present a poor prognosis into adulthood including back pain, pulmonary compromise, cor pulmonale, psychosocial effects, and even death [Rowe 1998, Danielsson et al 2006, Danielsson et al. 2007, Weinstein et al. 1981, Weinstein and Ponsetty 1983, Weinstein et al 2003]. Bracing, even though it hasn’t gained complete acceptance, has been the basis of non-operative treatment for IS for nearly 60 years, [Negrini et al. 2009, 2010a,b, Schiller et al. 2010]. The majority of publications in the peer review literature refer to braces used in North America, [Schiller et al 2010], and there is a lack of systematic examination of the braces commonly used in Europe. The aim of this report, based on peer review publications on the issue, is to concisely describe the European braces which are widely used, focusing on their history, design rationale, indications, biomechanics, outcomes and comparison between them. Cheneau Brace, the two Cheneau derivative braces, namely the Rigo System Cheneau and the ScoliOlogiC® “Chêneau light”, the Lyonnaise Brace, the Dynamic Derotating Brace (DDB) the TriaC brace, the Sforzesco brace and the Progressive Action Short Brace PASB will be described.