1. The addition of a dedicated physiotherapy programme to SpineCor dynamic bracing improves the chances of obtaining a positive outcome. 2. It is necessary to further analyse the course of the comprehensive treatment, also with regard to other types of braces and kinesiotherapy programmes.

BackgroundIdiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine. We investigated the effect of preoperative treatment with SpineCor® dynamic brace on the efficiency of surgical correction from a posterior approach in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.Material/MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study. Participants were 53 girls who underwent surgery from posterior approach due to idiopathic adolescent scoliosis, divided into a study group (Group A, 27 girls) and a control group (Group B, 26 girls). Girls in the study group had previously undergone treatment with the SpineCor® brace. Outcome measures were amount of correction and coronal balance based on anteroposterior plain radiographs obtained prior to surgery, at 1 week after surgery, and at 12 months after surgery.ResultsIn both groups, satisfactory deformity correction was achieved after surgery (Group A, 73%±12 vs. Group B, 68%±16) and at 12-month follow-up (75%±12 vs. 68%±12, respectively), with no statistically significant differences identified. Directly after surgery, patients preoperatively treated with the SpineCor® brace displayed smaller coronal balance deviation compared with the preoperative measurement, with significant differences in the outcome achieved at 1 week after surgery in Group B. At 12-month follow-up, both groups had significant coronal balance improvement.ConclusionsThis is the first study assessing the effect of dynamic brace treatment on scoliosis surgery. The study shows that a history of preoperative treatment with the SpineCor® dynamic brace does not affect the amount of the achieved correction of AIS directly after surgery or at 12-month follow-up, but it does facilitate faster restoration of normal coronal balance.

Background and objective: It is important to introduce respiratory exercises to the therapy of patients after the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Surgical correction is the best way to prevent hypoxia in scoliosis, but whether pulmonary rehabilitation increases the effectiveness of scoliosis surgery has not yet been confirmed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the function of respiratory muscles after surgical correction of idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: The study involved 24 patients, aged 13.6 ± 0.6. Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured using the Mikro RPM. In all patients, before the procedure, 7 days after and 3 months after the procedure, the MIP and MEP were measured. Results: MIP was the lowest 7 days after the procedure; it was 45.28 cmH2O and was statistically significantly lower compared to the measurement before the procedure (p < 0.001) and 3 months after the procedure (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The degree of curvature of the spine before the procedure does not significantly affect initial values of the strength of respiratory muscles. The level of MIP is not dependent on the type of surgery.

Objective. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of wearing a Chêneau brace on the quality of life of patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Methodology. The study used a short questionnaire that consisted of 12 questions – 4 questions about demographics and 8 questions about quality of life. The investigated aspects of life included difficulty in performing daily activities, feelings of embarrassment, sleep discomfort, irritability, and patients’ perceived benefits of this treatment procedure. Questionnaires were filled during follow-up visits. The study was conducted on a group of 30 patients aged 9–16 years treated for at least 6 months. Among the respondents there were 22 females and 8 males. Results. Despite the small study group, the results of the statistical analysis confirmed the hypothesis that the brace significantly affects the quality of life of patients and has a greater impact on the quality of life of the female gender due to the disruption of aesthetics and the associated sense of shame. An association was observed between the sense of shame related to wearing a brace and the desire to “hide” the brace under clothing, as well as the perception of the benefits of wearing a brace and a lower sense of shame. Conclusion. In the processes of rehabilitation and treatment of the patient with idiopathic scoliosis, a holistic approach that considers not only activities related directly to physiology, but also to patients’ well-being and quality of life is important.