ABSTRACT

Disagreements still continue among healthcare professionals concerning the effect and longterm problems of bracing, one of the non-operative treatments of scoliosis. The differences in the results of studies on the effect of bracing in the literature, unclear procedures of administration and the quality of such studies weakened the confidence in bracing. Moreover, the difficulty of identifying those who are suitable for bracing, the effects of various bracing concepts and the problems concerning the experience and administration skills of the implementers are also influencing factors in practice. The associations of surgical and conservative treatment groups are trying to construct a common algorithm to eliminate the confusion in this matter.

The common conclusion of the evidence-based, randomized controlled studies on the effect of bracing that have been published in recent years is that bracing is successful in adolescents, preferably Risser 2 and under, who are still in the process of maturation and whose spine has a curvature of 25-45o. They also stress the importance of high level of compliance and full-time use of braces for success. Using braces of a correct biomechanical design until the completion of maturation under the common surveillance of a physician and a technician can prevent curve progression and reduce the rate of surgery in scoliotic individuals.

It should also be taken into consideration that bracing can promise a stable and moving spine with no need for fusion even for some children and that it will contribute to well-being by reducing surgical costs and the rate of morbidity.