A new RSC brace design to treat single long thoracic scoliosis. Comparison of the in-brace correction in two groups treated with the new and the classical models

Methods In this case control study, 11 patients with long thoracic curves (imbalanced three-curve pattern or A1 from the Rigo classification) were treated with a specifically designed RSC brace called "three curves brace with open pelvis." These 11 patients were compared to a control group of 10 patients with the same age and curve magnitude, treated with a classical RSC brace for a three-curve scoliosis pattern. Patients with a combined upper thoracic structural curve were not included in any of the groups. The mean age was 10.5 years, mean Cobb angle was 29.5°, and mean axial rotation was 15°. The compared values were the in-brace correction of the Cobb angle and the axial rotation. Results The in-brace correction of the Cobb angle was 76.7% in the study group compared to 43.3% in the control group (p < .005). The in-brace correction of the axial rotation was 55.9% in the study group compared to 29.9% in the control group. from 6th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities Lyon, France. 21-23 May 2009