Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis - to operate or not? A debate article.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) represents a rare condition with a potentially detrimental impact on young patients. Despite vast clinical research and published treatment guidelines and algorithms, the optimal therapeutic choice for these patients remains highly controversial. While advocates of early surgery emphasize the benefits of surgical deformity correction with regard to physical and psychological outcome, the opponents base their arguments on the high risk of complications and a lack of documented subjective long-term outcome.

Sagittal counter forces (SCF) in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis: a preliminary report.

Background: In patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS), reduced thoracic kyphosis and reduced lumbar lordosis frequently occur in correlation with the lateral spinal curvature. Normalization of the sagittal profile and hyper-correction of the deviation in frontal and coronal plane are the main issues of the latest concept of bracing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of of sagittal counter forces (SCF) on the scoliotic deformity.

Developmental psychological aspects of scoliosis treatment.

The diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic adolescent scoliosis can have significant psychological consequences for affected individuals. This article aims to provide an overview of the current state of empirical knowledge concerning the psychosocial aspects of scoliosis in adolescence. These research results are set against experience gained from practical work.