Our 16-year old daughter had spinal fusion for a severe scoliosis. She had to wear a brace for four years before the operation. She was very surprised and dismayed to find out she still has to wear a brace. Why is this necessary if her spine is fused?

We are assuming that she had the surgery fairly recently. Most patients after spinal fusion for scoliosis wear a brace for the first three months or so. The brace helps hold the spine in neutral alignment while the graft takes hold and healing takes place.

The surgeon will recheck her after three months and take X-rays. The brace is usually stopped at that time. Be aware that the doctor may suggest a weaning schedule to gradually reduce wear time rather than just stop all of a sudden.

This gives the muscles and support structures of the spine time to regroup and take over the job of keeping the spine in good alignment. Exercise and activity is a very important part of rehab during this time. Encourage your daughter to follow all recommendations carefully. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially the ‘why’ question if it will help her remain compliant.