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Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Natural History

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Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), or late-onset scoliosis, is a condition in adolescents defined by an abnormal coronal plane spine curvature with rotation, for which no cause can be established. The natural history of both adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and other forms of scoliosis (i.e., due to neuromuscular or syndromic disorders) has been studied over the past 50 years. However, studies isolating patients with AIS have been relatively few in number. Understanding the natural history of this condition, including characteristics of the disease process and long-term outcomes, is crucial for effective treatment and patient education. This chapter discusses the etiopathogenesis, prevalence, diagnosis and classification, and outcomes in untreated individuals with AIS. Specifically, outcome measures such as back pain and disability, pulmonary function, mortality, psychosocial effects, and the effect of AIS on pregnancy are outlined and analyzed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Cameron B. Barton M.D. & Stuart L. Weinstein M.D.

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  1. Cameron B. Barton M.D.
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  2. Stuart L. Weinstein M.D.
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Correspondence to Cameron B. Barton M.D. .

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  1. Department of Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery, Yokohama Brain and Spine Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

    Masafumi Machida

  2. University of Iowa, Iowa, USA

    Stuart L. Weinstein

  3. Academie Nationale de Medecine, Paris, France

    Jean Dubousset

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Barton, C.B., Weinstein, S.L. (2018). Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Natural History. In: Machida, M., Weinstein, S., Dubousset, J. (eds) Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Scoliosis. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-56541-3_2

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