To wear a Brace or not ?

[tonibunny]

As the others have said, braces are usually prescribed for adolescents who haven't finished growing, and whose curves are under 40 degrees. The intention is usually to hold the curves so they don't get any worse, though some specialist braces (such as a the Cheneau) attempt to correct the curves too.

Braces aren't usually given to adults because they have stopped growing so there is no need to influence the curve, although occasionally adults wear them for pain relief. This is generally a bad idea because it weakens the spinal muscles, and it's important for everyone to try to keep those as strong as possible because they form a natural "corset" for your spine.

Kids can sometimes wear a brace even if they have curves larger than 40 degrees, to hold their curve in place until they are able to have surgery. Their surgeon might be very busy and have a long waiting list which means that they have to wait many months before they can have surgery, or it may be decided that they need to grow more before having a spinal fusion.

Some people, kids and adults, wear post-op braces to help protect their spines as they heal, and to remind them not to bend and twist! Whether you need to wear one is down to your surgeon. Years ago everyone wore a post-op brace or plaster cast because the fusion technique used was more fragile; the pedicle screw rod systems that are used today are very, very robust.

As Ivan says, some conditions mean that bracing isn't so effective for children and adolescents. Connective tissue disorders are generally thought to be particularly unresponsive to bracing.