 Eligible patients who have consented to take part will be randomly allocated to one of the two protocols, and group designation will be decided by a computer-generated randomized table. Restricted randomization through blocking will be used according to the equal proportion rule 1:1. The random allocation sequence will be managed independently, and the random coding is concealed to all research staff until all data analyses have been completed. The clinicians and research assistants will not be blinded to treatment allocation, as the participants are required to implement bracing protocols and schedule longitudinal follow-up. 