[Results of brace treatment in idiopathic scoliosis--evaluation of the patients treated for over 2 years or those who completed the treatment].

The results of the brace treatment (Milwaukee brace, Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis, Boston-Milwaukee brace) were studied in 509 patients with idiopathic scoliosis, who were braces for an average of 3 years and 3 months ranging from 2 to 10 years. Of these patients, 60 were followed up for about 24 months after the brace was discontinued. The distribution of these patients according to curve pattern was as follows: 319 had thoracic curve; 78 had lumbar curve (combining lumbar and thoracolumbar curves together as one group); and 112 had double major curve. The findings are summarized and conclusions were drawn as follows. 1. The best correction was obtained within a year after the initiation of bracing, followed by a gradual loss of correction. 2. There was a significant difference between the final correction rate and the best correction rate in the brace. 3. In the patients with ages ranging from 11 to 14 years and with curves of 30 degrees or less at the beginning of brace treatment, the curves were maintained within 30 degrees at the final stage. 4. Those patients who cooperated well in wearing their braces had a smaller loss of correction at the final stage. 5. In 63 per cent of the cases who showed progression in the brace, iliac apophysis did not appear at the beginning of brace treatment. 6. Moiré topography was used for the analysis of cosmesis and it was shown to be a valuable method of three dimensional evaluation. 7. In 60 patients who were followed up for 24 months on average after the brace was discontinued, the curves had improved an average of 1.6 degrees at the time of their last check up.