Efficacy and wider perspectives on the Rigo-Chêneau Brace in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a retrospective perspective

This retrospective study evaluates the effectiveness of the Rigo-Chêneau brace, one of the most widely used three-dimensional orthoses in Europe, in the management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Although the literature on brace effectiveness remains limited and clinical protocols vary, our objective was to provide a recent analysis of retrospective results obtained in routine clinical practice. Data from a total of 35 patients seen in rehabilitation services between 2011 and April 2023 were analyzed; all met the Scoliosis Research Society (2005) standardization criteria: age ≥ 10 years, Risser index 0–2, and a curve magnitude of 25° to 40°. The variables studied included Cobb angle magnitude, vertebral rotation according to the Nash and Moe scale, and the need for surgery. The results indicate that the Rigo-Chêneau brace is effective in controlling the magnitude of the curve. Specifically, 80% of patients maintained or improved their curve angulation at the end of treatment. A significant finding was the improvement or maintenance of vertebral rotation in 100% of patients, demonstrating its corrective action in the transverse plane. Effectiveness in preventing surgery was 100% in this cohort of selected patients. Consistent brace wear (adherence greater than 18 hours per day) is also associated with significantly lower curve progression. The Rigo-Chêneau brace showed high effectiveness for musculoskeletal immature patients with moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.