Abstract
Objective: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been intensively studied for many years but conclusions on prognosis and best treatment are hampered by the shortage of untreated controls.
Design: Analysis of patient data in a prospectively maintained database.
Subjects: Patients with AIS (42 male, 458 female), at least 15 years old at last review.
Outcome Measures: Cobb angle change, growth, and the incidence of surgical treatment.
Results: Of 500 patients, 36 (7.2%) were braced and 138 (27.6%) had surgery. At diagnosis mean age was 13.8 yrs. SD 1.55, Cobb angle 30°, SD 17.85. Change over a mean of 3.5 years averaged 5.94°, SD 11.61, range −23° to +55°. There was no association between brace treatment and outcome. Below 50° at presentation, there was a significant association between age at diagnosis and curve progression. The change in Cobb angle correlated significantly with both absolute increase in height and in growth rate.
Conclusion: These results can be repeated in any scoliosis centre in the world, regardless of treatment policy. About one quarter will develop a significant cosmetic deformity. The remainder will stabilise their scoliosis without treatment. Deformity progresses with growth and correlates with growth rate, so is intrinsic to the growth process.
Abstracts prepared by Mr. A. J. Stirling, FRCS, and Miss A. Weaver. Correspondence should be addressed to Miss A. Weaver at the Research and Teaching Centre, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2AP, UK
BritSpine 2002, the second combined meeting of the British Association of Spinal Surgeons, the British Cervical Spine Society, The British Scoliosis Society and the Society for Back Pain Research, took place at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham UK between 27th February and 1st March 2002. The following presentations and posters were given and displayed.
