Orthotic Management for Controlling Scoliotic Curve Progression in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Scoliosis is one of the most common spinal deformities occurring in school-going children during the growth spurts of adolescents. It is an abnormal curvature of the spine. Failure of early management of idiopathic scoliosis could lead to multiple problems related to postural malalignment, pulmonary and physical dysfunctions, and surgical interventions. These problems could lead to health-related quality-of-life issues such as psychological and social problems that are represented in social isolation, depression, loss of self-confidence, limited job opportunities, and hospital stays \& days off school and university as a result of undergoing corrective surgeries. Treatment methods for adolescent idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) vary between surgical intervention and conservative treatment, in mild and moderate cases. Conservative treatment includes physical therapy in addition to rigid splints and braces, which may cause pain, tightness, restriction of movement, and a bad psychological status for adolescents which may lead them to the irregular wearing of these splints and braces. A type of soft, lightweight, breathable orthosis which is TheraTogs orthotic undergarment with the strapping system has been fabricated to provide gentle, passive compression to correct spinal deformities. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of TheraTogs orthotic undergarment with the strapping system on controlling and modulating the degree of scoliosis in Saudi adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.