Bracing in severe skeletally immature adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: does a holding strategy change the surgical plan?

The purpose of the study was to assess the changes in flexibility during night-time bracing in skeletally immature adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with curves in the surgical range. We included a consecutive cohort of 89 AIS patients with curves ≥ 45° and an estimated growth potential. All patients were eventually treated with fusion surgery, and all patients had side-bending radiographs prior to both bracing and surgery. Curves were classified as structural or non-structural curves according to Lenke at both timepoints. The main curve progressed by a mean of 12 ± 10° and the secondary curve by 8 ± 8°. Flexibility of the main curve decreased from 50 ± 19