How Much Does a Scoliosis Brace Cost? Key Factors to Consider

Not all braces have the same design, methodology, or potential results, so patients and parents need to be aware of the different bracing options available. There are many variables that factor into scoliosis brace cost including insurance coverage, customization, the type of brace, materials of the brace, necessary level of care, location, and whether or not additional costs are incurred.

The cost of a brace will vary depending on a number of factors, but on average, scoliosis brace cost and care in the United States can range between $2,500 and $10,000. There is also more than just the monetary cost of a potential scoliosis brace to consider, there is also its potential efficacy.

Before exploring the various factors that shape the final cost of a scoliosis brace, let’s talk generally about the place of bracing in scoliosis treatment.

Bracing in Scoliosis Treatment

Bracing has been at the forefront of nonsurgical scoliosis treatment for a number of years, and there are a number of different brace styles and designs that have developed.

A scoliosis brace is an orthotic device that’s worn around the torso with the goal of altering the spine’s position, and braces can help address scoliosis in children, adolescents, and adults.

As scoliosis causes the spine to bend unnaturally to the side and rotate, the body’s natural alignment can be disrupted and cause a number of effects.

Bracing has the goal of improving the spine’s alignment by applying pressure; however, different braces approach this differently.

Any cost estimates provided are only estimates, a number of factors shape the final cost of a brace including:

• The level of customization
• The type of brace in question (material, design)
• Insurance coverage
• Brace material
• Treatment provider
• Number of fittings and adjustments needed
• Number of X-rays
• Level of care needed

There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to brace cost, many of which aren’t predictable, so final cost estimates should be provided by a patient’s treatment provider.

Modern Corrective Bracing Cost

The modern corrective ScoliBrace® has the goal of correcting scoliosis in all 3 dimensions; the spine’s rotation makes scoliosis a 3-dimensional condition.

ScoliBrace® uses a new approach to bracing and is customized; custom braces are more expensive than off-the-shelf types of braces; for a truly customized brace, a number of comprehensive measurements, scans, and postural photos are necessary which increases the price.

In addition, customized braces involve more fittings and adjustments.

It’s important to understand, however, that as a progressive spinal condition with different types and wide-ranging severity levels, just as treatment plans need to be customized, so do scoliosis braces.

The more customized a brace is, the more comfortable it may be to wear, and when it comes to bracing, compliance is crucial.

Bracing is most effective on growing spines so is a common facet of treatment for childhood scoliosis, particularly adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: the condition’s most prevalent type.

Adolescent scoliosis is typically diagnosed around the onset of puberty, but adolescents aren’t always known for their transparency and compliance: a barrier to early detection.

Teenagers aren’t always going to share bodily changes they are noticing, particularly ones that seem atypical. Most teenagers want to blend in; they don’t want to wear a cumbersome brace to school every day, and if a brace isn’t worn precisely as prescribed, its potential efficacy is limited.

Compliance is the biggest challenge to bracing success; a brace has to be worn exactly as it’s prescribed, which can involve full-time wear .

The modern ScoliBrace® uses an ultra-corrective design to alter the spine’s position, and while each case is unique and many factors contribute to the final cost of bracing treatment, an average cost for a customized ScoliBrace® is approximately $4,600+.

For an accurate estimate, a patient’s specific treatment provider will know the type of brace and level of care needed.

What Does Modern Corrective Bracing Offer?

Although a customized brace will carry a heavier monetary cost, it can offer more specific corrective 3-dimensional results.

While traditional braces apply excessive squeezing pressure to improve the spine’s position, it can weaken the spine over time, and ScoliBrace® Clinicians observed this limitation and harnessed the power of spinal coupling to improve the spine’s alignment.

While traditional braces immobilize the spine, the ScoliBrace® is designed with movement in mind; this further improves compliance rates as it’s more comfortable, and when combined with an exercise-based treatment program, there is more potential for nonsurgical treatment success.

Corrective bracing is customized for more comfort and better rates of compliance; it’s designed with movement in mind for a different approach, and as a 3-dimensional corrective brace, it can address both the spine’s unnatural bend and rotation.

The ScoliBrace® can offer more specific results not only because of its customization and design, but also because of the proactive conservative treatment approach it’s aligned with.

So now that we’ve addressed some benefits of modern corrective bracing, along with an average brace cost, let’s talk about what traditional braces have to offer, along with their average cost.

Traditional Scoliosis Bracing and Cost

Traditional scoliosis treatment commonly involves observation, traditional bracing options, and spinal fusion surgery.

Traditional bracing, however, is limited in a number of areas. Traditional TLSO (thoracolumbar sacral orthosis) braces don’t have the best rates of compliance; these braces involve some varying measurements but are mass produced so aren’t customized to the same level as the ScoliBrace®.

Traditional braces also only address scoliosis in 2 dimensions, but scoliosis is a 3-dimensional condition.

The Boston brace works via a 3-point pressure system that squeezes the spine into a straighter alignment, but the excessive squeezing can also weaken the spine over time, and as the brace uses spinal immobilization, a patient can lose core muscle strength which means less support for the spine when not wearing the brace.

Again, there are many factors that shape the final cost of a Boston brace, but one can expect to pay approximately $2,600 to $3,000.

And there are a number of traditional braces to choose from, some designed to be worn during the night, but the Boston is the most commonly prescribed TLSO brace.

So let’s take a look at the average cost of some additional traditional scoliosis braces.

The Milwaukee brace is estimated to cost $2,500+ and is a metal brace that has problematic compliance rates due to its uncomfortable design and material: made from metal and includes a pelvic girdle.

The Providence brace averages at $3,000+ and is designed to be worn during sleep so it can place the spine into an over-corrective position without having to account for movement.

The Rigo Cheneau brace is a modern brace that uses 3D scans to ensure customization and averages at $4,500+.

Modern braces like the ScoliBrace® and the Rigo Chineau have more specific results to offer because they are customized, but when it comes to cost, this can also mean more fittings and adjustments, which can increase the final cost.

Conclusion

While there are a number of factors that determine the final cost of a scoliosis brace, braces that are mass produced are less expensive than modern corrective braces that are fully customized so involve a number of images, scans, measurements, adjustments and fittings.

But what patients need to understand is that traditional bracing can be limited in its potential efficacy, whereas modern braces like the ScoliBrace® are part of a complete care approach that involves the combination of bracing and scoliosis-specific exercise.

An adolescent is more likely to comply with brace-wearing prescriptions if the brace is customized, more comfortable, made from soft flexible material, can easily be concealed under clothes, and doesn’t restrict movement.

The ScoliBrace® is combined with a powerful exercise-based program to further results: ScoliBalance®.

Because the ScoliBrace® is designed with movement in mind, the corrective results of the brace can be complemented by core muscle balancing and strengthening through the power of scoliosis-specific and Mirror Image® exercise.

When a brace is successful, it can significantly improve a patient’s curve size and posture for 3-dimensional correction.

Here at the Scoliosis Center of Utah, patients benefit from corrective care that has the goal of reducing the unnatural spinal cure, improving its rotation, and teaching postural awareness and restoration through the use of Mirror Image® exercise.

The ScoliBrace® is a proven cutting-edge technology that has a lot to offer: customization for more comfort, a movement-based design, reduced curve size, and postural correction.

If a loved one has been recently diagnosed with scoliosis, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Center to see if they qualify for care.

With a progressive condition like scoliosis, the sooner treatment is started, the better.