Can progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis be stopped? A case series conservative treatment results

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity disorder. Although the current available literature presents a multitude of types of therapeutic interventions, data on their effectiveness are few. The research addresses three case studies observed in a short period of conservative treatment based on the Schroth method in order to highlight whether the Cobb angle progression and therefore scoliosis can be stopped during an evolutive period where the skeletal development is not finished. The Cobb angle was measured at the beginning on the most recent X-ray and after a period of six months on a new X-ray. Thus, the short-term effect of the therapeutic protocol was observed. The physiotherapy programme consisted of four Schroth-based exercises and an exercise to increase muscle strength and endurance, which were performed six times per week: three times in the rehabilitation clinic under the supervision of a Schroth physiotherapist, and three times the patient applied the therapy at home. Each session lasted about 60 minutes. Limitation may be due to the patient’s coping strategies, the Cobb angle measurement or each participant’s range of motion of the spine. Following these three case studies, we believe that the benefits of this approach can stop and correct the progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, but further studies with a larger number of participants are needed.