Scoliosis

Scoliometer - have patient bend over and place on patient's back to measure angle of incline.
Scoliometer – have patient bend over and place on patient’s back to measure angle of incline. There are also scoliometer apps you can download on your smart phone. 

Background

  • Definition: >10° lateral curve to spine with vertebral rotation
  • Types: classified as congenital, neuromuscular, or idiopathic. Idiopathic scoliosis is further classified by age: Infantile (0-2 yo), Juvenile (3-9 yo), Adolescent (>10 yo).  Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis is the most common form.
  • Etiology unknown. Likely polygenic.
  • Risk factors for disease progression – initial Cobb angle (angle of curvature of spine) most important factor; Risser grade (more growth potential = more risk of scoliosis progression); sex (male and female have equal incidence, but female more likely to progress)

Screening

  • Screening is controversial!
  • USPSTF and AAFP do not recommend screening in asymptomatic adolescents. It causes low-risk adolescents to undergo expensive and unnecessary testing and treatments.  Those who actually need treatment will be detected without screening.
  • AAP and AAOS both recommend screening.
Cobb Angle
Cobb Angle

Physical Exam

  • Adam’s Forward Bend Test – have patient bend forward at the waist. Stand behind patient and look for rib hump. Use a scoliometer (aka inclinometer) to measure the inclination angle. <5° is insignificant. 5-9° check again in 6 months. >10° is definition of scoliosis and requires XR evaluation to measure Cobb Angle and Risser Grade
  • Cobb angle – angle of deviation of the spine
  • Risser Grade  amount of ossification of the iliac apophysis, which reflects how much more growth potential a person has. Grade 1 = 25% ossification (lots more growth potential); Grade 2 = 50% ossification; Grade 3 = 75% ossification; Grade 4 = 100% ossification and no more growth potential.

Treatment

  • Cobb Angle 10-19; Risser Grade 0-4 – XR q6mo, observe
  • Cobb Angle 20-29; Risser Grade 0-1 – XR q6mo, refer, brace after 25° (threshold for long-term curve progression)
  • Cobb Angle 20-29; Risser Grade 2-3 – XR q6mo, refer, brace
  • Cobb Angle 20-29; Risser Grade 4 – XR q6mo, refer, observe (because no more growth potential, brace won’t help)
  • Cobb Angle 30-40; Risser Grade 0-4 – Refer, brace
  • Cobb Angle >40; Risser Grade 0-4 – Refer, surgery
  • Evidence for brace and surgery are limited. PT, chiropractor, electrical stimulation all have questionable benefits.