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Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine. Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is described as scoliosis that affects children between the ages of 10 and 18.  Several conditions can cause a child to have scoliosis but AIS is prevalent in 80% of adolescent children who have scoliosis as reported by the Scoliosis Research Society. Idiopathic means “of unknown origin” so the reason why children develop scoliosis during adolescence is still a mystery. Some research suggests that there is a genetic factor in the cause for AIS, but this is unconfirmed at this time.  The most important thing for brace candidates to understand is that idiopathic scoliosis is very treatable with conservative brace management.  Successful treatment is defined as preventing the curve from increasing. 

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At COPI, you will have a detailed and complete evaluation by your Orthotist.  The practitioner will be able to discuss the treatment option that will have the best possible outcome for your child.  At the first visit, the child will have many precise measurements taken and possibly have an impression casting.  The Orthotist will fabricate a brace that will be specifically designed to your child in order to control the curve and prevent progression.  On the day of the fitting, the brace will be precisely fit and the procedure for putting the brace on correctly will be explained in detail.  Lastly upon follow up with the doctor, an x-ray wearing the brace will be needed to make sure that the brace is performing as intended.