The Rigo Concept explained: how is it different from other scoliosis braces?

When a child is diagnosed with scoliosis and bracing is recommended, many parents assume that one scoliosis brace is much like another. But the reality is more nuanced. There are significant differences in how scoliosis braces work; not just in appearance, but in the underlying biomechanical principles that drive correction.

This article explains what makes the Rigo Concept different from other bracing systems, what the evidence says about its effectiveness, and whether it might be the right choice for your child.

Gibson Orthotics holds Level 2 certification in the Rigo Concept and has a clinical focus on this system for suitable patients.We want to help families understand what they are choosing when they opt for Rigo Concept bracing.

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How most scoliosis braces work

​The most commonly used scoliosis brace globally is the Boston brace, also called a thoracolumbar sacral orthosis (TLSO). It works on a straightforward principle: apply lateral (sideways) pressure to the spine, pushing the curve toward midline. The brace is fitted snugly around the torso, with corrective pads positioned to push inward on the rib hump or lateral curve, aiming to hold the spine in a more vertical position.
This lateral pressure approach has a track record spanning several decades. It is well-studied, effective for many patients, relatively simple to manufacture, and affordable. For many children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the most common type. A well-fitted TLSO provides good curve management and can successfully halt progression during the growing years.
However, lateral pressure has a limitation: scoliosis is not purely a sideways problem. It is fundamentally a three-dimensional deformity. The spine does not just curve left or right; it also rotates. In many scoliosis cases, the rotation component is substantial, and a brace that only applies lateral pressure cannot address this.

​What makes the Rigo Concept different?

The Rigo Concept (Rigo Chêneau) approaches scoliosis correction as a three-dimensional problem. Rather than applying one-directional lateral pressure, a Rigo Concept brace is designed with both corrective zones and expansion zones — areas of the brace that are deliberately open or soft.

Here is how it works:

• Corrective zones: areas where the brace applies targeted pressure to address the specific curve pattern, taking into account the rotational component of the deformity as well as the lateral curve
• Expansion zones: intentional gaps in the brace where the patient actively breathes and moves. As the patient breathes in, the thorax expands into these zones, encouraging the spine to de-rotate and move back toward midline.

 
This is a fundamentally different mechanism from lateral pressure alone. The Rigo Concept relies on active patient participation. The patient is not passively held in position, but actively engages in de-rotation through breathing and movement. This approach is grounded in the observation that scoliosis involves rotational displacement that cannot be corrected by force alone but can be addressed through guided, active correction.
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The biomechanical basis for the Rigo Concept is supported by the SOSORT guidelines (Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment), published in 2016. SOSORT reviewed the global evidence on scoliosis bracing and identified the Rigo Concept (along with a small number of other 3D systems) as an evidence-supported conservative management option for idiopathic and low-grade neuromuscular scoliosis.

​Who is the Rigo Concept suitable for?

The Rigo Concept is most appropriate for the following presentations:

• Idiopathic scoliosis (the most common type) with a Cobb angle between 20° and 45°
• Skeletal immaturity bracing is most effective before skeletal maturity, ideally initiated before a Risser grade of 4
• Curves with a significant rotational component — particularly Lenke Type 1 or Type 2 curves
• Good compliance potential — the patient and family must be willing to wear the brace as prescribed (typically 18–23 hours per day)

 
The Rigo Concept can be adapted for selected neuromuscular presentations, particularly low-tone patients with good cognition who can engage actively with the bracing system. However, for children with significant spasticity or high-tone conditions, the brace design must be substantially modified, and the clinical benefit may be different from idiopathic cases.

The Rigo Concept is generally NOT appropriate for:

• Skeletally mature patients with curves greater than 45° Cobb — at this point, surgical options are typically considered
• Very young children (under 6–7 years) with small, progressive curves — in this age group, frequent bracing adjustments and the challenge of compliance make alternatives more practical
• Patients with severe spasticity or contractures — the brace may not be tolerated and cannot achieve the intended de-rotation mechanism

​Rigo Concept in South Africa: what Level 2 certification means

The Rigo Concept certification structure includes basic training and brace fitting, Level 1 and Level 2 advanced clinical assessment, complex case management, and individual brace design optimization.
Gibson Orthotics holds Level 2 certification, which means our practice meets advanced clinical standards for Rigo Concept case selection, assessment, fabrication, and follow-up.

Level 2 providers are expected to maintain ongoing clinical audit of outcomes, engage with the international Rigo Concept community for continuing education, and manage complex presentations requiring customized brace designs.

There are only a small number of Level 2 certified Rigo Concept providers in South Africa. This does not mean other practitioners cannot provide Rigo Concept bracing, it simply means they operate at a different level of certification. For cases requiring specialist assessment of scoliosis severity, individualized brace design optimization, or management of children with neuromuscular components, a Level 2 provider is the appropriate choice.

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About the Author

​Kirsten Gibson is a Clinical Orthotist Prosthetist (CPO), founder and director of Gibson Orthotics in Kyalami, Johannesburg. She holds Level 2 certification in the Rigo Concept for scoliosis bracing, is an authorised Orthomerica STARband provider, and serves as Chair of the South African Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (SAOPA) and Executive Board Member of ISPO. She has a clinical focus in paediatric orthotics, neuromuscular conditions, scoliosis management, and lymphoedema compression therapy.