Chêneau brace for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: long-term results. Can it prevent surgery?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Chêneau brace in the management of idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study according to SOSORT and SRS (Scoliosis Research Society) recommendations involving 48 girls with documented progressive idiopathic scoliosis, treated with Chêneau brace. A statistical analysis was performed with STATA MP11.2 to validate the obtained results.

Results: No patient needed surgery. The average curve angle measured in Cobb degrees passed from 27° ± 6.7° at the beginning (T0), to 7.6° ± 7.4° in brace (T1) (72 % of correction), to 8.5° ± 8.6° (69 % of correction) at the end of treatment (T2), to 11.0° ± 7.4° (59.3 % of correction) at final follow-up (mean 5 years and 5 months) (T3).

Conclusion: Conservative treatment with Chêneau brace and physiotherapy was effective in our hands for halting scoliosis progression in 100 % of patients.

Fig. 1

N.P. 10 years beginning of treatment, A.V. in brace, during treatment, at the end of treatment and at final follow-up

Fig. 2

DSP 10 years 5 months beginning of treatment, A.V. in brace, during treatment, at the end of treatment and at final follow-up

Fig. 3

D.F. 10 years 6 months beginning of treatment (a), A.V. in brace (b), during treatment (c–f), at the end of treatment (g) and at final follow-up (h)

Fig. 4

CC 11 years 6 months beginning of treatment (a), A.V. in brace (b), during treatment (c–e), at the end of treatment (f) and at final follow-up (g)