Purpose: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is often associated with low bone mineral content and density (BMC,
BMD). Bracing, used to manage spine curvature, may interfere with the growth-related BMC accrual, resulting in
reduced bone strength into adulthood. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of brace treatment on
BMC in adult women, diagnosed with AIS and braced in early adolescence.
Methods: Participants included women with AIS who: (i) underwent brace treatment (AIS-B, n = 15, 25.6 ± 5.8 yrs),
(ii) underwent no treatment (AIS, n = 15, 24.0 ± 4.0 yrs), and (iii) a healthy comparison group (CON, n = 19, 23.5 ±
3.8 yrs). BMC and body composition were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Differences between
groups were examined using a oneway ANOVA or ANCOVA, as appropriate.
Results: AIS-B underwent brace treatment 27.9 ± 21.6 months, for 18.0 ± 5.4 h/d. Femoral neck BMC was lower
(p = 0.06) in AIS-B (4.54 ± 0.10 g) compared with AIS (4.89 ± 0.61 g) and CON (5.07 ± 0.58 g). Controlling for lean
body mass, calcium and vitamin D daily intake, and strenuous physical activity, femoral neck BMC was statistically
different (p = 0.02) between groups. A similar pattern was observed at other lower extremity sites (p < 0.05), but not
in the spine or upper extremities. BMC and BMD did not correlate with duration of brace treatment, duration of
daily brace wear, or overall physical activity.
Conclusion: Young women with AIS, especially those who were treated with a brace, have significantly lower BMC
in their lower limbs compared to women without AIS. However, the lack of a relationship between brace treatment
duration during adolescence and BMC during young adulthood, suggests that the brace treatment is not the likely
mechanism of the low BMC