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February 28, 2014

Scoliosis: discs and vertebrae. Cobb angle: Friend or foe?

From 7th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities
Montreal, Canada. 20-22 May 2010

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February 28, 2014

Can Sports be making my scoliosis worse?

Should I continue with Sports if I have Scoliosis? The answer depends upon the type of sport you are involved with and the magnitude of your curvature. Published studies have reported and increased incidence of scoliosis among ballet dancers and Rhythmic gymnasts.  However, there was no causal relationship reported, only an increased incidence, which may be coincidental.  It is our opinion that any sport can be detrimental if it is done for in an extreme way. For instance, ballet dancing one or two hours per week would most likely not be an issue, however, ballet dancing 5 hours a day for 5 days a week may aggrevate your curvature and increase the progressive nature of the scoliosis. Our best recommendation is to ask your doctor and to use common sense when making decisions about sports or dance.

February 28, 2014

Efficacy of scoliosis-specific spinal rehabilitation after Schroth

[Article in German]

Weiss HR.

Arzt für Orthopädie, Chirotherapie u. Physikalische Therapie Katharina-Schroth-Klinik, Sobernheim.

Abstract

The prospective study reported here was instituted in 1987 to obtain more detailed data on the efficacy of scoliosis-specific spinal rehabilitation after Schroth. Inclusion criteria were 1) idiopathic scoliosis, 2) Risser stage < 4, 3) no treatment with corset or electrical stimulation, 4) first examination between 1 and 3 years postoperatively, 5) usable total X-rays taken with the patient standing not more than 6 months prior to admission. A total of 181 scoliosis patients with an average age of 12.76 years and an average Cobb angle of 27 degrees were included in the study. The average Risser’s sign was 1.4 and the average follow-up period was 33 months. No cases of relative progression (annual increase in curvature of 5 degrees or more) were observed. For the purpose of comparison with the spontaneous course, the patients were grouped by age and severity of scoliosis. Both the absence of any relative progression as well as direct comparison of the development of scoliosis under therapy with the spontaneous course confirmed the efficacy of the stationary rehabilitation programme notably in cases with poor prognosis, i.e. with large scoliosis angles and unfavourable curvatures.

February 28, 2014

The efficacy of Schroth s 3-dimensional exercise therapy in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Turkey.

The efficacy of Schroth s 3-dimensional exercise therapy in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Turkey.
Otman S, Kose N, Yakut Y.
Professor, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Samanpazari 06100, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of 3-dimensional therapy in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
METHODS: We carried out this study with 50 patients whose average age was 14.15 +/- 1.69 years at the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation School, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, from 1999 to 2004. We treated them as outpatients, 5 days a week, in a 4-hour program for the first 6 weeks. After that, they continued with the same program at home. We evaluated the Cobb angle, vital capacity and muscle strength of the patients before treatment, and after 6 weeks, 6 months and one year, and compared all the results.
RESULTS: The average Cobb angle, which was 26.1 degrees on average before treatment, was 23.45 degrees after 6 weeks, 19.25 degrees after 6 months and 17.85 degrees after one year (p<0.01). The vital capacities, which were on average 2795 ml before treatment, reached 2956 ml after 6 weeks, 3125 ml after 6 months and 3215 ml after one year (p<0.01). Similarly, according to the results of evaluations after 6 weeks, 6 months and one year, we observed an increase in muscle strength and recovery of the postural defects in all patients (p<0.01).
CONCLUSION: Schroth s technique positively influenced the Cobb angle, vital capacity, strength and postural defects in outpatient adolescents.
PMID: 16155663 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
February 18, 2014

365 idiopathic scoliosis patients treated with the Dynamic SpineCor Brace

Screenshot 2015-09-09 12.21.13

A study was done at the Research Center of Sainte-Justine Hospital and University in Montreal Canada which was titled Survival Analysis of a Group of 365 Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients Treated with the Dynamic SpineCor Brace examined the efficacy of the SpineCor dynamic tension orthosis (aka – soft brace) showed that the vast majority (96.2%) of patients in the study fitted for the SpineCor brace that completed the study were able to avoid surgery.

Of the patients that completed the study 65.4% had a permanent correction of their initial Cobb angle, while 30.8% stabilized their Cobb angle and only 3.8% worsened without having to have surgery.