Factors associated with the success of the Rigo System Cheneau brace in treating mild to moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Background Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most prevalent spine deformity within the pediatric population. Orthosis is the mainstay of conservative treatment for mild to moderate AIS. The Rigo System Cheneau (RSC) brace is a custom-made thoracolumbar sacral orthosis (TLSO) based on a three-dimensional correction concept. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that could predict the therapeutic success/failure of the RSC brace. Materials and methods A retrospective cohort study was performed on all consecutive patients according to the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) criteria for the success of conservative treatment. Participants had a 2-year follow-up beyond the termination of brace treatment. All patients were treated with the RSC orthotic device. Results Ninety-three patients met the inclusion criteria. At treatment onset, their average age was 12.9 years, average Cobb angle 31.97 degrees, Risser score 1.07, and the mean angle of thoracic rotation (ATR) was 10.2 degrees. The mean brace treatment period was 36 months. Treatment was successful in 83.8 % of these patients (n = 79). The average final Cobb angle was 28.97 degrees, Risser score 4.88, and ATR 8.09 degrees. The pre-treatment factors associated with the success of applying the RSC brace were a high Risser score [ odds ratio (OR) = 2.97, 95 % confidence interval [ CI] 1.18-7.44; p = 0.02), a low Cobb angle (OR = 0.92, 95 % CI 0.85-0.99; p = 0.02), and low ATR (OR = 0.86, 95 % CI 0.75-0.99; p = 0.04). Conclusions The treatment of mild to moderate AIS with the RSC brace provides excellent clinical results. Its added benefit is enabling a three-dimensional correction of a three-dimensional deformity. Pre-treatment high Risser score, low Cobb angles, and low ATRs are associated with treatment success.