The idiopathic scoliosis (IS) corset could have physical and psychological effect especially in adolescents. The aims of our study were to determine the influence of the Chêneau corset on the quality of life (QOL) of adolescents with an IS and to seek for a correlation between the QOL of adolescents treated with brace and age, Risser Index, correction percentage and corset treatment duration.

This was a six-month (September 2016–February 2017) cross-sectional study including 48 adolescents with IS divided into two groups. The first group (G1) included treated with brace and rehabilitated adolescents. The second one (G2) included only those who were reeducated (corset being made, non-evolutive scoliosis or Risser>4). QOL was assessed by Quality of Life Profile for Spine Deformities (QLPSD), SRS-22 and QOL Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

We collected 27 girls (56%) and 21 boys (44%), with a mean age of 14 years±2 years (10–18 years). QOL was better in adolescents treated only by rehabilitation with a significant difference (P<0.05). According to the QOL VAS, we objectified a correlation between the QOL and correction percentage. According to QLPSD scale, the overall QOL score of patients wearing the corset was significantly correlated with the percentage of correction and the age. We noted that psychosocial status was significantly correlated with age, percentage correction and duration of treatment with corset. We found a correlation between body image and the correction angle. Dorsal flexibility was correlated with percentage correction and duration of treatment. According to SRS-22, the overall QOL score of the patients wearing the corset was significantly correlated with the correction percentage. We noted a correlation between the psychosocial status and the correction percentage. Satisfaction was correlated with percentage correction and duration of treatment.

Orthopedic treatment in teenagers with IS results in a significant decrease in QOL regardless of the scales. This study shows that a multidisciplinary care should be carried out in order to improve the aesthetics, the pain and the acceptance of the corset and to insist in treatment adherence.