Idiopathic Scoliosis

Overview

Journal Dtsch Arztebl Int

Specialties General Medicine
Public Health

Date 2010 Dec 31

PMID 21191550

Citations 85

Authors

Per Trobisch

Olaf Suess

Frank Schwab

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deviation of the spinal axis. The main diagnostic criterion is spinal curvature exceeding 10° on a plain anteroposterior X-ray image. Scoliosis is called idiopathic when no other underlying disease can be identified.

Methods: Selective literature review and recommendations of the relevant medical societies in Germany and abroad.

Results: Scoliosis in children of school age and above primarily occurs in girls. Its prevalence is 1% to 2% among adolescents, but more than 50% among persons over age 60. The therapeutic goal in children is to prevent progression. In children, scoliosis of 20° or more should be treated with a brace, and scoliosis of 45° or more with surgery. The treatment of adults with scoliosis is determined on an individual basis, with physiotherapy and braces playing a relatively minor role. Adults (even elderly adults) who have scoliosis and sagittal imbalance may be best served by surgical treatment.

Conclusion: Scoliosis is common. Early diagnosis makes a major difference in the choice of treatment.

Citing Articles

Airway clearance technique therapy for atelectasis induced by scoliosis surgery: a case report.

Zhai R, Su H, Wu Y, Tan R, Zhang X, Tian Y Front Med (Lausanne). 2025; 12:1518935.

PMID: 40007586 PMC: 11850244. DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1518935.

Digital Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Yuan W, Shi W, Chen L, Liu D, Lin Y, Li Q JAMA Netw Open. 2025; 8(2):e2459929.

PMID: 39964686 PMC: 11836762. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.59929.

Clinical and Topographic Screening for Scoliosis in Children Participating in Routine Sports: A Prevalence and Accuracy Study in a Spanish Population.

Gonzalez-Ruiz J, Mohamed N, Hassan M, Fald K, de Los Rios Ruiz E, Perez Cabello P J Clin Med. 2025; 14(1.

PMID: 39797357 PMC: 11722016. DOI: 10.3390/jcm14010273.

Treatment of idiopathic scoliosis with conservative methods based on exercises: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Dimitrijevic V, Raskovic B, Popovic M, Viduka D, Nikolic S, Drid P Front Sports Act Living. 2025; 6:1492241.

PMID: 39763485 PMC: 11700739. DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1492241.

Effect of growth hormone to spinal growth and recombinant human growth hormone to scoliosis.

Luo C, Liu S, Li Y, Wu Q, Liu Q, Peng D Transl Pediatr. 2024; 13(10):1849-1857.

PMID: 39524395 PMC: 11543125. DOI: 10.21037/tp-24-180.

References

Lonstein J, Carlson J . The prediction of curve progression in untreated idiopathic scoliosis during growth. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1984; 66(7):1061-71. View

Schwab F, Dubey A, Gamez L, El Fegoun A, Hwang K, Pagala M . Adult scoliosis: prevalence, SF-36, and nutritional parameters in an elderly volunteer population. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2005; 30(9):1082-5. DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000160842.43482.cd. View

Glassman S, Carreon L, Shaffrey C, Polly D, Ondra S, Berven S . The costs and benefits of nonoperative management for adult scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010; 35(5):578-82. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181b0f2f8. View

Suk S, Kim J, Kim S, Lee J, Han Y . Thoracoplasty in thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2008; 33(10):1061-7. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31816f2888. View

Danielsson A, Wiklund I, Pehrsson K, Nachemson A . Health-related quality of life in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a matched follow-up at least 20 years after treatment with brace or surgery. Eur Spine J. 2001; 10(4):278-88. PMC: 3611508. DOI: 10.1007/s005860100309. View

Smith J, Shaffrey C, Berven S, Glassman S, Hamill C, Horton W . Operative versus nonoperative treatment of leg pain in adults with scoliosis: a retrospective review of a prospective multicenter database with two-year follow-up. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009; 34(16):1693-8. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181ac5fcd. View

Danielsson A, Nachemson A . Back pain and function 22 years after brace treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case-control study-part I. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2003; 28(18):2078-85. DOI: 10.1097/01.BRS.0000084268.77805.6F. View

Weinstein S, Dolan L, Spratt K, Peterson K, Spoonamore M, Ponseti I . Health and function of patients with untreated idiopathic scoliosis: a 50-year natural history study. JAMA. 2003; 289(5):559-67. DOI: 10.1001/jama.289.5.559. View

Richards B, Bernstein R, dAmato C, Thompson G . Standardization of criteria for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis brace studies: SRS Committee on Bracing and Nonoperative Management. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2005; 30(18):2068-75. DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000178819.90239.d0. View

10.

Lonner B, Auerbach J, Estreicher M, Milby A, Kean K . Video-assisted thoracoscopic spinal fusion compared with posterior spinal fusion with thoracic pedicle screws for thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009; 91(2):398-408. DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.G.01044. View

11.

Danielsson A, Nachemson A . Childbearing, curve progression, and sexual function in women 22 years after treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case-control study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001; 26(13):1449-56. DOI: 10.1097/00007632-200107010-00015. View

12.

Lenke L, Betz R, Harms J, Bridwell K, Clements D, Lowe T . Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a new classification to determine extent of spinal arthrodesis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2001; 83(8):1169-81. View

13.

Richter A, Ahrens M, Quante M, Thomsen B, Koszegvary M, Halm H . [Modern scoliosis surgery under the conditions of the German DRG-system]. Orthopade. 2009; 38(2):205-7, 210-2. DOI: 10.1007/s00132-008-1366-6. View

14.

Payne 3rd W, Ogilvie J, Resnick M, Kane R, Transfeldt E, Blum R . Does scoliosis have a psychological impact and does gender make a difference?. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1997; 22(12):1380-4. DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199706150-00017. View

15.

Katz D, Herring J, Browne R, Kelly D, Birch J . Brace wear control of curve progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010; 92(6):1343-52. DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.I.01142. View

16.

Bridwell K, Glassman S, Horton W, Shaffrey C, Schwab F, P Zebala L . Does treatment (nonoperative and operative) improve the two-year quality of life in patients with adult symptomatic lumbar scoliosis: a prospective multicenter evidence-based medicine study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009; 34(20):2171-8. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181a8fdc8. View

17.

Dolan L, Weinstein S . Surgical rates after observation and bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: an evidence-based review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2007; 32(19 Suppl):S91-S100. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e318134ead9. View

18.

Cooper G, Lutz G, Boachie-Adjei O, Lin J . Effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injections in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliotic stenosis and radiculopathy. Pain Physician. 2006; 7(3):311-7. View

19.

Betz R, Ranade A, Samdani A, Chafetz R, DAndrea L, Gaughan J . Vertebral body stapling: a fusionless treatment option for a growing child with moderate idiopathic scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010; 35(2):169-76. DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181c6dff5. View

20.

Danielsson A, Nachemson A . Back pain and function 23 years after fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case-control study-part II. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2003; 28(18):E373-83. DOI: 10.1097/01.BRS.0000084267.41183.75. View