PRE-EXISTING SCOLIOSIS IN TRAUMA VICTIMS

USE: When trauma patients have a pre-existing juvenile scoliosis and have decreased pulmonary function tests post-trauma.

TITLE: Adult Scoliosis : Surgical Indications, Operative Management

CITATION: SPINE: Volume 24, Number 24, pp 2617-2629, 1999

AUTHORS: David S. Bradford, MD, Bobby K-B Tay, and Serena S. Hu, MD

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA

The following is a summary of a research paper discussing the specifics of the evaluation and management of Adult Scoliosis. SPINE is a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary journal directed to an audience of spine physicians and scientists. The journal publishes original articles in the form of clinical and basic research. SPINE will only publish studies that have institutional review board (IRB) or similar ethics committee approval for human and animal studies and have strictly observed a sufficient follow-up period. With the exception of reference presentation, SPINE requires that all manuscripts be prepared in accordance with the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals.

This journal is recognized internationally as the leading journal in its field, SPINE is an international peer-reviewed, bi-weekly periodical that considers for publication original articles in the field of the spine. It is the leading subspecialty journal for the treatment of spinal disorders. The journal does not publish articles reporting material that has been reported at length elsewhere.

Adult Scoliosis is an important factor in the diagnosis and management in patients that have suffered traumatic injury. It is important to note that there are significant differences in the evaluation and management of Adult versus Pediatric Scoliosis. This manuscript outlines specifically the evaluation and management of Adult Scoliosis.

1: “….there is no evidence to suggest that an adult patient with previously normal pulmonary function after skeletal maturity will experience deterioration in pulmonary function”. ^{Pg. 2617}

2: “Pehrsson et al. showed that at 20 year follow-up, untreated scoliosis patients showed no difference in pulmonary function……” ^{Pg. 2618}

This portion of the paper clearly indicates that the normal, natural progression of scoliosis does not include measurable losses in breathing function.

Reviewed by

William J. Owens, Jr. DC

President - AAMLP

Pre-Existing Scoliosis in Trauma Patients