Effect of a thoracolumbosacral orthosis on lateral trunk shift in idiopathic scoliosis.

The effect of the Wilmington brace on lateral trunk shift in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was studied in 80 patients. With an average follow-up of 1 year 10 months after completion of brace treatment, improvement was seen in 58% of those patients with thoracic curves, 65% with thoracolumbar-lumbar curves, and 88% with double major curves. Lateral trunk shift decreased an average of 0.8 cm in patients with thoracic curves and 1.0 cm in patients with thoracolumbar-lumbar or double major curves. Improvement of existing lateral trunk shift was an additional consideration for instituting brace treatment in idiopathic scoliosis.