Algorithm for Schroth-Curve-Type Classification of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability Study.

Schroth exercises for scoliosis are prescribed based on curve types. This study aimed to determine the reliability of an algorithm for classifying Schroth curve types. Forty-four consecutive volunteers with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, 10 to 18 years old, with curves 10° to 50°, were recruited from a scoliosis clinic.

Consensus statement on networks for high-quality rural anesthesia, surgery, and obstetric care in Canada.

Objective: To describe the essential components of well-resourced and high-functioning multidisciplinary networks that support high-quality anesthesia, surgery, and maternity care for rural Canadians, delivered as close to home as possible.

Composition Of The Committee: A volunteer Writers' Group was drawn from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and the Association of Canadian University Departments of Anesthesia.

Methods: A collaborative effort over the past several years among the professional stakeholders has culminated in this consensus statement on networked care designed to integrate and support a specialist and non-specialist, urban and rural, anesthesia, surgery, and maternity work force into high-functioning networks based on the best available evidence.

Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis perceive positive improvements regardless of change in the Cobb angle - Results from a randomized controlled trial comparing a 6-month Schroth intervention added to standard care and standard care alone. SOSORT 2018 Award winner.

Background: The Cobb angle is proposed as the "disease process" outcome for scoliosis research because therapies aim to correct or stop curve progression. While the Scoliosis Research Society recommends the Cobb angle as the primary outcome, the Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment prioritises, as a general goal, patient related outcomes over Cobb angle progression.

Objective: To determine the threshold of change in the Cobb angle in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who perceive improvement in a 6-months randomized controlled trial comparing a Schroth exercise intervention added to the standard of care to the standard of care alone.

Factors influencing spinal curvature measurements on ultrasound images for children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

The measurements of spinal curvatures using the ultrasound (US) imaging method on children with scoliosis have been comparable with radiography. However, factors influencing the reliability and accuracy of US measurement have not been studied. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of curve features and patients' demographics on US measurements and to determine which factors influence the reliability and accuracy.

Assessment of curve progression on children with idiopathic scoliosis using ultrasound imaging method.

Purpose: To investigate the threshold of the curve difference on ultrasound measurement relative to the previous radiographic measurements to detect curves progression in children who have idiopathic scoliosis (IS).

Methods: Two hundred children with IS (F:170, M:30; mean age: 14.6 ± 1.

Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: how many patients require treatment to prevent one deterioration? - results from a randomized controlled trial - "SOSORT 2017 Award Winner".

Background: Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) support using physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE) for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). All RCTs reported statistically significant results favouring PSSE but none reported on clinical significance. The number needed to treat (NNT) helps determine if RCT results are clinically meaningful.

Results of ultrasound-assisted brace casting for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: Four factors have been reported to affect brace treatment outcome: (1) growth or curve based risk, (2) the in-brace correction, (3) the brace wear quantity, and (4) the brace wear quality. The quality of brace design affects the in-brace correction and comfort which indirectly affects the brace wear quantity and quality. This paper reported the immediate benefits and results on using ultrasound (US) to aid orthotists to design braces for the treatment of scoliosis.

Assessment of Curve Flexibility on Scoliotic Surgical Candidates Using Ultrasound Imaging Method.

The ultrasound imaging method was implemented to assess the spinal curve flexibility of scoliotic surgical candidates, or how much correction it can achieve while patients are bending or lying down. Fifteen participants were recruited. Pre-operative radiographs and ultrasound images in both standing and bending positions were acquired.

Schroth Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises Added to the Standard of Care Lead to Better Cobb Angle Outcomes in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis - an Assessor and Statistician Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The North American non-surgical standard of care for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) includes observation and bracing, but not exercises. Schroth physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE) showed promise in several studies of suboptimal methodology. The Scoliosis Research Society calls for rigorous studies supporting the role of exercises before including it as a treatment recommendation for scoliosis.

Surface Topography Classification Trees for Assessing Severity and Monitoring Progression in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design: A validation study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to independently validate the diagnostic accuracy of surface topography (ST) classification trees to identify curve severity and progression using a new sample of data in participants with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary Of Background Data: Radiographs for diagnosing and monitoring AIS involve harmful radiation exposure repeated at successive clinical visits.

Intraoperative spinal cord monitoring using low intensity transcranial stimulation to remove post-activation depression of the H-reflex.

Objective: To investigate whether low intensity transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) can be used to condition post-activation depression of the H-reflex and simultaneously monitor the integrity of spinal motor pathways during spinal deformity correction surgery.

Methods: In 20 pediatric patients undergoing corrective surgery for spinal deformity, post-activation depression of the medial gastrocnemius H-reflex was initiated by delivering two pulses 50-125ms apart, and the second H-reflex was conditioned by TES.

Results: Low intensity TES caused no visible shoulder or trunk movements during 19/20 procedures and the stimulation reduced post-activation depression of the H-reflex.

Development of a Competence-Based Spine Surgery Fellowship Curriculum Set of Learning Objectives in Canada.

Study Design: Modified-Delphi expert consensus method.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop competence-based spine fellowship curricula as a set of learning goals through expert consensus methodology in order to provide an educational tool for surgical educators and trainees. Secondarily, we aimed to determine potential differences among specialties in their rating of learning objectives to defined curriculum documents.

Improvement on the Accuracy and Reliability of Ultrasound Coronal Curvature Measurement on Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis With the Aid of Previous Radiographs.

Study Design: Retrospective study of the coronal curvature measurement on ultrasound (US) images with the aid of previous radiographs.

Objective: To compare the reliability and accuracy of the coronal curvature measurements from US images on children who have adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with and without the knowledge of previous radiographs.

Summary Of Background Data: Using US imaging technique to measure coronal curvature on children with AIS has demonstrated high intra- and interrater reliabilities.

The effect of Schroth exercises added to the standard of care on the quality of life and muscle endurance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis-an assessor and statistician blinded randomized controlled trial: "SOSORT 2015 Award Winner".

Background: In North America, care recommendations for adolescents with small idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) curves include observation or bracing. Schroth scoliosis-specific exercises have demonstrated promising results on various outcomes in uncontrolled studies. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to determine the effect of Schroth exercises combined with the standard of care on quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes and back muscle endurance (BME) compared to standard of care alone in patients with AIS.

How quantity and quality of brace wear affect the brace treatment outcomes for AIS.

Purpose: To determine the reliability of a prognostic curve progression model and the role of the quantity and quality of brace wear for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) brace treatment.

Methods: To develop a curve progression model for full-time AIS brace treatment, 20 AIS subjects (Group 1) prescribed full-time thoracolumbar sacral orthosis (TLSO) were monitored and followed for 2 years beyond maturity. The developed curve progression model was: curve progression (in degrees) = 33 + 0.

Predicting success or failure of brace treatment for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity. Brace treatment is a common non-surgical treatment, intended to prevent progression (worsening) of the condition during adolescence. Estimating a braced patient's risk of progression is an essential part of planning treatment, so method for predicting this risk would be a useful decision support tool for practitioners.

Interpretation of surgical neuromonitoring data in Canada: a survey of practising surgeons.

Intraoperative neuromonitoring is a specialized skill set performed in the operating room to reduce the risk of neurologic injury. There appears to be a shortage of qualified personnel and a lack of Canadian guidelines on the performance of the task. We distributed a web-based survey on the attitude of the surgeons to the interpretation of intraoperative neuromonitoring data among surgeons who use the technique.

Intra- and Inter-rater Reliability of Coronal Curvature Measurement for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Ultrasonic Imaging Method-A Pilot Study.

Study Design: Retrospective reliability study of the coronal curvature measurement on ultrasound (US) imaging in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Objectives: To determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability and validity of the coronal curvature measurements obtained from US images.

Summary Of Background Data: Cobb angle measurements on radiographs are the usual method to diagnose and monitor the progression of scoliosis.

Effect of Schroth exercises on curve characteristics and clinical outcomes in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: The promising results of Schroth scoliosis-specific exercises for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis found in low-quality studies will be strengthened by confirmation in a randomised controlled trial.

Research Questions: 1. Are Schroth exercises combined with standard care for 6 months more effective than standard care alone in improving radiographic and clinical outcomes for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis? 2.

Brace wear characteristics during the first 6 months for the treatment of scoliosis.

Bracing is the most commonly used non-surgical treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and requires an extensive commitment on the part of the patient and family. However, demonstrating efficacy of brace treatment for AIS has been hampered by the lack of compressive information about wear characteristics. The first 6 months is considered a critical time to evaluate whether AIS patients will commit to the treatment and may predict the treatment outcome.

Smart brace versus standard rigid brace for the treatment of scoliosis: a pilot study.

The outcomes of brace treatment for scoliosis depend on how the brace is used. Simply prescribing a brace does not mean it will be worn properly. A smart brace has been developed to control the brace wear tightness with the expectation that appropriately worn braces will improve outcomes.

A comparison of a commercially made pedicle stimulating probe with a custom-made device: does the commercial device detect pedicle wall breaches more reliably?

Study Design: Clinical trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of a commercially available stimulating pedicle probe with a custom-made probe for the detection of pedicle wall breaches during screw insertion for the surgical correction of scoliosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Stimulus triggered electromyography has been used to detect small breaches in the walls of the spinal pedicles during pedicle screw insertion.

An objective measurement of brace usage for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Effectiveness of orthotic treatment for scoliosis depends on how much time and how well the orthosis is worn. Questionnaires and clinical judgment are subjective methods to wear compliance. Even though using a temperature sensor can objectively record how long the orthosis has been used, it may not be able to answer the orthosis effectiveness without knowing the wear tightness.

Using ultrasound to guide the insertion of pedicle screws during scoliosis surgery.

Scoliosis surgery involves the insertion of screws and/or hooks into selected vertebrae to secure a pre-bent rod placed along the concave side of the spine. Usually conventional x-rays will be taken before the surgery to plan the alignment and positioning of the pedicle screws. However, reports state that perforation rate range from 6% to 54%.