The effect of lumbar flexion and Boston Thoracic Brace on the curves in idiopathic scoliosis.

The correction of scoliosis induced by pure lumbar flexion was compared with the correction with the so-called Boston Thoracic Brace. Ten patients with idiopathic scoliosis were studied. There were 11 primary curves (31 +/- 6 degrees) (mainly thoracic) and four secondary curves (22 +/- 1 degree). Pure lumbar flexion reduced the primary curves by 6 +/- 2 degrees and the secondary curves by 8 +/- 3 degrees. The brace reduced the curves by 16 +/- 6 degrees and 14 +/- 5 degrees, respectively. Lumbar flexion per se produces a correction of the scoliosis of the same degree as the Milwaukee brace. Our results emphasize the importance of reduction of the lumbar lordosis in the conservative treatment of scoliosis.