Sagittal counter forces (SCF) in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis: a preliminary report.

Background: In patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS), reduced thoracic kyphosis and reduced lumbar lordosis frequently occur in correlation with the lateral spinal curvature. Normalization of the sagittal profile and hyper-correction of the deviation in frontal and coronal plane are the main issues of the latest concept of bracing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of of sagittal counter forces (SCF) on the scoliotic deformity.

Study design: A case series of four patients with IS treated with two braces designed to improve the sagittal profile (Rigo-System-Chêneau-brace and with a sagittal counter force brace, SCF-brace).

Methods: The short-term effect (30 min) of both braces was evaluated using surface topography (Formetric surface topography system, Diers International, Wiesbaden).

Results: One patient (Cobb angle 92 degrees ) showed no short-term correction in the frontal and coronal planes; others (Cobb angles between 39 and 48 degrees ) exhibited valuable correction in frontal and coronal planes. There was no short-term correction in the sagittal plane for either brace.

Conclusion: The application of sagittal counter forces (SCF) seems to have similar short-term effects as 3D correction and should be addressed more in future concepts of scoliosis bracing.