A scoliosis brace is a custom‑fit orthopedic device worn around the torso to stop or slow the progression of a spinal curve in children and adolescents who are still growing. It does not usually “cure” scoliosis or straighten the spine completely, but it can reduce the chance that the curve will worsen enough to require surgery.
### What scoliosis braces do
- Apply gentle pressure on specific parts of the trunk to counteract the side‑to‑side and rotational curve of the spine.
- Work mainly during periods of rapid growth (late childhood and early teens), when the spine is most likely to progress.
- Help improve posture, body symmetry, and sometimes pain, especially with modern 3D designs.
### Common types of braces
- Boston brace: A rigid, under‑the‑clothes thoracic‑lumbar‑sacral orthosis (TLSO) that opens in the back and is the most commonly prescribed brace for moderate curves.
- Chêneau‑style braces (including ScoliBrace): More 3D, custom‑molded braces that “over‑correct” the curve to improve alignment and posture, often used for larger curves or more complex rotations.
- Night‑time or part‑time braces: Worn only for a few hours each day, usually for milder curves or specific curve patterns.
### How long and when to wear
- Doctors often prescribe 12–20 hours per day, with many recommending at least 18 hours for maximum effectiveness, until growth stops.
- Wear is usually discontinued once skeletal maturity is reached, as bracing has little effect after bones stop growing.
### When braces are used
- Typically for moderate curves (roughly 25°–40° Cobb angle) in growing children and some adolescents, though some modern 3D braces are used for curves up to about 60°.
- Not usually effective for very stiff curves or in adults whose curves have already fully matured, unless used for pain or cosmetic support.
