Immediate height gain during scoliosis brace fitting as a predictor of in-brace skeletal correction: A non-radiographic clinical indicator.
4 affiliations
- 1The London Orthotic Consultancy, Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom.
- 2Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
- 3School of Health Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom.
- 4School of Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy (SAHP&P), Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom.
Abstract
Background
Spinal curvature in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is associated with a reduction in standing height. While height loss due to scoliosis and height gain following surgical correction are well described, little is known about immediate height change during scoliosis brace fitting and its relationship to in-brace skeletal correction. In-brace Cobb angle correction remains a primary indicator of brace effectiveness; however, no radiation-free clinical tool exists to support early assessment during fitting.Objective
To investigate whether immediate standing height change during scoliosis brace fitting is associated with in-brace Cobb angle correction.Methodology
A retrospective audit was conducted on 60 adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (13 males, 47 females; mean age 12.4 ± 1.7 years; mean standing height 156.6 ± 10.7 cm) treated at The London Orthotic Consultancy in Kingston, UK. Clinical data were collected between January and October 2022. Standing height was measured immediately before and after brace fitting, and Cobb angles were assessed at baseline and in-brace. Correlation and simple linear regression analyses were performed to explore the relationship between height change and in-brace correction.Results
The mean baseline Cobb angle was 38.0 ± 10.7°, correcting to a mean in-brace Cobb angle of 10.3 ± 9.4°, corresponding to a mean absolute Cobb angle correction of 27.8 ± 9.9° and mean percentage correction of 74.3 ± 19.2%. Mean height gain at fitting was 1.24 ± 0.74 cm (range -0.2 to 3.5 cm). Descriptive analyses included the full cohort (n = 60), including participants demonstrating radiographic over-correction (n = 6). Following exclusion of cases demonstrating radiographic over-correction (>100%), a moderate positive association was observed (R = 0.45, p = 0.001). Sex-specific subgroup analysis was not performed due to limited statistical power.Conclusion
Immediate height gain during scoliosis brace fitting demonstrates a moderate association with in-brace skeletal correction and may serve as a simple, radiation-free clinical indicator of mechanical brace response. Height measurement should be interpreted as an adjunct to, rather than a replacement for, radiographic assessment. Prospective studies using multivariable predictive models are warranted to further evaluate its clinical utility.
Related
- Discrepancy Between Radiographic Correction and Cosmetic Improvement in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: The Role of Extremely Low BMI.
- Radiographic Evaluation of Scoliosis in Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Patients: Associations Between Curve Severity, Localization, and Skeletal Maturity
- Predicting the Risk of Distal Junctional Kyphosis After Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Preoperative Radiographic Indicators and Machine Learning
- Early Radiographic Improvement of Pain-Induced Sciatic Scoliosis Following Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Prospective Cohort Study
- Longitudinal Radiographic Outcomes and Revision Burden After Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod Treatment for Early-Onset Scoliosis
BibTeX
@article{courtney2026immediate,
title = {{Immediate height gain during scoliosis brace fitting as a predictor of in-brace skeletal correction: A non-radiographic clinical indicator.}},
author = {A Courtney and S Walmsley and T Bishop and J Bernard and L Darren and R K Jones and S Forghany},
journal = {Canadian prosthetics \& orthotics journal},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.33137/cpoj.v9i2.46645},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927107},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Immediate height gain during scoliosis brace fitting as a predictor of in-brace skeletal correction: A non-radiographic clinical indicator.
AU - A Courtney
AU - S Walmsley
AU - T Bishop
AU - J Bernard
AU - L Darren
AU - R K Jones
AU - S Forghany
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/16
JO - Canadian prosthetics & orthotics journal
DO - 10.33137/cpoj.v9i2.46645
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927107
AB - Background Spinal curvature in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is associated with a reduction in standing height. While height loss due to scoliosis and height gain following surgical correction are well described, little is known about immediate height change during scoliosis brace fitting and its relationship to in-brace skeletal correction. In-brace Cobb angle correction remains a primary indicator of brace effectiveness; however, no radiation-free clinical tool exists to support early assessment during fitting.Objective To investigate whether immediate standing height change during scoliosis brace fitting is associated with in-brace Cobb angle correction.Methodology A retrospective audit was conducted on 60 adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (13 males, 47 females; mean age 12.4 ± 1.7 years; mean standing height 156.6 ± 10.7 cm) treated at The London Orthotic Consultancy in Kingston, UK. Clinical data were collected between January and October 2022. Standing height was measured immediately before and after brace fitting, and Cobb angles were assessed at baseline and in-brace. Correlation and simple linear regression analyses were performed to explore the relationship between height change and in-brace correction.Results The mean baseline Cobb angle was 38.0 ± 10.7°, correcting to a mean in-brace Cobb angle of 10.3 ± 9.4°, corresponding to a mean absolute Cobb angle correction of 27.8 ± 9.9° and mean percentage correction of 74.3 ± 19.2%. Mean height gain at fitting was 1.24 ± 0.74 cm (range -0.2 to 3.5 cm). Descriptive analyses included the full cohort (n = 60), including participants demonstrating radiographic over-correction (n = 6). Following exclusion of cases demonstrating radiographic over-correction (>100%), a moderate positive association was observed (R = 0.45, p = 0.001). Sex-specific subgroup analysis was not performed due to limited statistical power.Conclusion Immediate height gain during scoliosis brace fitting demonstrates a moderate association with in-brace skeletal correction and may serve as a simple, radiation-free clinical indicator of mechanical brace response. Height measurement should be interpreted as an adjunct to, rather than a replacement for, radiographic assessment. Prospective studies using multivariable predictive models are warranted to further evaluate its clinical utility.
SN - 2561-987X
ER -