Definition: Juvenile scoliosis occurs in the 3 to 10 year old age group. Juvenile scoliosis often requires treatment because the deformity (curve) is at a high risk of progression. About 70% of patients with juvenile scoliosis will require treatment. Half of these patients will require a brace, the other half will require surgery.
If surgery is needed, every effort is made to delay the treatment until after skeletal maturity. If surgery is required before skeletal maturity, a larger surgery may be required.
Common braces include the Milwaukee Brace, the Boston Brace, and the Charleston brace. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of bracing patients with idiopathic scoliosis is directly related to how long the brace is worn each day.
