Using of Chêneau brace for early onset scoliosis treatment

Background

Casting, halo-traction [1, 2], Milwaukee or TLSO braces [1, 3] are routinely used for the conservative treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS). Some authors use brace only in a case of congenital scoliosis absence.

Aim

The purpose of this study is to assess outcomes of Chêneau brace use in EOS patients.

Methods

This is a prospective study of clinical outcomes in 17 EOS patients treated with Chêneau brace. Mean age was 4.3 years old. Follow-up was 2-7 years. There were 3 males and 14 females. 3 patients had mixed spinal anomaly (1st group), 10 patients had wedge hemivertebra (2nd group) and 4 patients had infantile idiopathic scoliosis (3rd group).

Results

Before treatment initiation, Cobb angle in the 1st group was 52.3° (43°-60°), in the 2nd group 33.2° (25°-48°), and in the 3rd group 40° (24°-75°). After 6 years follow-up on the 1st group, 1 patient had 7° correction, 1 patient had 8° progression and 1 patient had stable deformity. In the 2nd group, mean correction was 3° (-2°– 15°) and 8.75° (0°-30°) in the 3rd group.

Conclusion

Using a Chêneau brace results in getting EOS correction in 7 (41%) cases, stabilized deformity in 8 cases (47%), and in 2 (12%) cases progression was delayed. The results are the best we get in patients with infantile idiopathic scoliosis.