Utility of Postoperative Bracing

Utility of Postoperative Bracing: A Single-institution, Randomized-control Trial Comparing Brace to No-brace for Patients Undergoing Long-segment Fusion for Spinal Deformity

The study is being done to assess if the use of bracing helps improve quality of life of patients that are undergoing a spinal fusion for deformity.

If the participant agrees to be in this trial they will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to receive either brace treatment or non-brace treatment.

Regardless of what treatment group the participants are in, they will undergo surgery as planned. After surgery, patients in both groups will be treated per standard of care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The principal investigator's new or returning patients
• Adults 18 to 80 years of old
• Undergoing a spinal fusion procedure of greater than or equal to 5 levels for the purpose of correcting idiopathic spinal deformity

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are undergoing a spinal fusion for other reasons besides deformity
• Patients who are unable to provide consent or fill out survey questionnaires
• Patients who have brace-prohibitive body habitus
• Patients who are unable to obtain standing AP and lateral 3-foot standing scoliosis x-rays