Boston Brace treatment in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

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Scoliosis Journal recently reported the following article which talks about the long-term outcome after Boston brace treatment in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Authors: Johan Emil Lange, Harald Steen and Jens Ivar Brox

Published: 26 August 2009

Background
Few studies have evaluated long-term outcome after bracing using validated quality of life outcome. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term outcome in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) 12 years or more after treatment with Boston brace.

Methods
109 (80 %) of 135 patients (7 men) with AIS treated with Boston brace at a mean of 19.2 (12-28) years previously responded to long-term follow-up examination. All patients (n = 109) answered a standardised questionnaire including demographics, work status, treatment, Global Back Disability Question, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (100-worst possible), General Function Score (GFS) (100 - worst possible), EuroQol (EQ-5D (1 - best possible), EQ-VAS (100 - best possible)) and Scoliosis Research Society -22 (SRS - 22) (5 - best possible). Clinical and radiological examination was obtained in 86 patients.

Results
The magnitude of the primary prebrace major curve was in average 33.4 (range 20 - 52) degrees. At weaning and at the last follow-up the corresponding values were 28.3 (9 -56) and 34.2 (8 - 87) degrees, respectively. The mean age at follow-up was 35 (27 - 46) years. Work status was: full time (80%), on sick-leave (3%), on rehabilitation (4%), disability pension (4%), homemaker (7%), students (2%), 7 % had changed their job because of back pain. 88% had had delivered a baby, 55% of them had pain in pregnancy. Global back status was excellent or good in 81 %. Mean (standard deviation) ODI was 6.4 (9.8), GFS 5.4 (10.5), EQ-5D 0.84 (0.2), SRS-22: pain 4.2 (0.8), mental health 4.2 (0.7), self-image 3.9 (0.7), function 4.1 (0.6), satisfaction with treatment 3.7 (1.0). 28 % had taken physiotherapy for back pain the last year and 12 % had visited a doctor.

Conclusion
Long-term results were satisfactory in most patients with AIS treated with the Boston brace.

Download the article on PDF on Boston Brace and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

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