Sagittal spinal profile and spinopelvic balance in parents of scoliotic children.

Background Context: It is well known that spinal biomechanics and familial predisposition play an important role in the onset and evolution of idiopathic scoliosis. The relationship between the sagittal profile of the spine and spinal biomechanics has also been established in a number of studies. It has been suggested previously that a certain sagittal spinal configuration with implications for spinal rotational stiffness is inherited, thus providing a possible explanation for the well-known hereditary component in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Pre-existent vertebral rotation in the human spine is influenced by body position.

Human bipedalism appears to be a prerequisite for the development of idiopathic scoliosis. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of different positions of the human spine on vertebral rotation in vivo. Thirty asymptomatic volunteers underwent MRI scanning of the spine in three different body positions; upright, quadrupedal-like and supine.

Pre-existent vertebral rotation in the human spine is influenced by body position.

Both the humans as well as the quadrupedal spine have been shown to exhibit a pattern of pre-existent rotation that is similar in direction to what is found in the most common types of idiopathic scoliosis. It has been postulated that human bipedalism introduces forces to the spine that increase a tendency of the vertebrae to rotate. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of body position on vertebral rotation in vivo.