Curve pattern changes in idiopathic scoliosis
Results:
Conclusion:
Long story short, curve patterns aren't necessarily fixed and may change on their own in young children. This suggests that exercises like torso rotation therapy or other physical therapies may have the potential to offer greater benefit to children under the age of 10 with flexible curves.
Results:
Forty eight patients (11 boys and 37 girls; 13 patients younger than 10 years and 35 patients older than 10 years) were monitored for a mean follow-up of 3 to 4 years. 8 patients (17%) showed changes in curve patterns. Six of these patients were younger than 10 years, while 2 patients were older than 10 years. There was no correlation between the curve severity and the curve pattern changes. We found no significant difference between the male and female patients. Single curves changed in double curves and vice versa during growth in 70% younger than 10 years and 18% older than 10 years.
Conclusion:
In this study, changes in curve patterns suggest that idiopathic scoliosis is not a fixed deformity, but a dynamic process especially in patients younger than 10 years.