Combined Bracing and Schroth Therapy in a 17-Year-Old with Severe Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Case Study

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) with curves exceeding 50° Cobb is commonly associated with a high risk of progression and is often managed surgically. However, conservative treatment outcomes in such severe cases remain clinically relevant, particularly when combining rigid bracing with Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises (PSSE). This case study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a revised conservative management strategy in a patient with severe AIS. A 17-year-old female with AIS presented with a 66° Cobb angle of the primary thoracic curve, following 8 months of prior brace treatment. Despite prolonged bracing, the curve magnitude remained high. Consequently, the conservative management strategy was revised. The patient was fitted with a new 3D, Schroth-compatible, corrective brace made by Scoliosis and initiated a structured Schroth-based physiotherapeutic program with a frequency of two sessions per week. The intervention protocol included Schroth-specific mobilization techniques followed by exercises focusing on three-dimensional correction, postural control, and curve-specific breathing mechanics. This case demonstrates that even in severe AIS curves, a combined approach of optimized bracing and long-term Schroth therapy may lead to substantial in-brace correction and marked clinical improvement. These findings support the role of individualized conservative management as a viable option in selected cases of severe scoliosis, potentially offering an alternative to surgical intervention.