Scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that can lead to short- and long-term implications, causing impaired quality of life. While surgery is typically recommended for severe curves, there is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal non-surgical treatment for milder curves. To describe cases of idiopathic scoliosis (IS) treated with Providence brace, and to determine its effectiveness to halt curve progression and decrease the need for surgery. A retrospective study was conducted by analyzing medical records and radiographs of skeletally immature patients with IS treated with Providence braces in a single institution from 2010-2023. Of 33 participants, 30 were female and 3 were male. The mean age at brace introduction was 12.8 years, and at removal, 15.2 years, with average treatment duration of 2.4 years. At brace introduction, 87.9% of cases were Risser 0-1. At brace removal, Risser was >2 in 90.9% of cases. Adequate compliance to treatment was reported by 60.6% of patients. Among the treated curves, 51.5% were thoracolumbar/lumbar; 36.4% were double curves; 12.1% were thoracic. The curve magnitude at brace introduction was between 25-35° in the majority of cases (62.2%). At brace discontinuation, 40% of patients had curves between 25-35°. From brace initiation to last follow-up, 64.4% of the curves progressed < 5°. At the end of follow-up, 90.9% of patients were discharged, and 9.1% required surgical intervention. We achieved success in over 90% of cases treated with Providence braces, supporting its use as non-operative management of mild and moderate cases of idiopathic scoliosis.
Generoso et al. (Sun,) studied this question.