Comparison of the efficacy of thoracolumbosacral and lumbosacral orthosis for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in patients with major thoracolumbar or lumbar curves: a prospective controlled study.

Introduction: Thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) is the most commonly used type of brace for the conservative treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Although lumbosacral orthosis (LSO) is designed to correct single thoracolumbar or lumbar (TL/L) curves, its effectiveness remains underexplored. This novel article aims to compare the effectiveness of LSO with TLSO in treating AIS with main TL/L curves. Methods: This prospective controlled cohort study enrolled patients with AIS with main TL/L curves and minor thoracic curves who were treated with either TLSO or LSO. Demographic and radiographic data were compared between the two groups. Treatment outcomes were also assessed. Risk factors for minor curve progression were identified, and a cut-off value was determined within the LSO group. Results: Overall, 82 patients were recruited, including 44 in the TLSO group and 38 in the LSO group. The initial TL/L curves showed no difference between both groups. However, the baseline thoracic curves were significantly larger in the TLSO group compared to the LSO group (25.98° ± 7.47° vs. 18.71° ± 5.95°, P < 0.001). At the last follow-up, LSO demonstrated similar effectiveness to TLSO in treating TL/L curves but was less effective for thoracic curves. The initial magnitude of thoracic curves was identified as a risk factor for minor curve outcomes in the LSO group. The ROC curve analysis determined a cut-off value of 21° for thoracic curves to predict treatment outcomes. Discussion: In contrast to TLSO, LSO exhibits comparable effectiveness in treating main TL/L curves, making it a viable clinical option; however, it is less effective for thoracic minor curves. The initial magnitude of the minor thoracic curves may guide the selection of the appropriate brace type for patients with AIS with main TL/L curves.

Coronal balance in idiopathic scoliosis: a radiological study after posterior fusion of thoracolumbar/lumbar curves (Lenke 5 or 6).

PURPOSE: To explore the compensation mechanisms of immediate postoperative coronal imbalance (CIB) and identify the correlation between preoperative lumbosacral obliquity and postoperative CIB in patients with Lenke 5/6 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) during a 2-year follow-up period. METHODS: Medical records of patients with Lenke 5/6 AIS who were admitted in our hospital between Jan. 2008 and Jan. 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. General information of the patients including gender, age, and Risser classification was collected. Patients were divided into coronal balance (CB) and CIB groups according to the postoperative CB. Radiographic assessment included preoperative, postoperative and full-length anteroposterior and lateral radiographs and passive lateral bending radiographs of the spine at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Altogether 80 patients (37 in CIB group and 43 in CB group) were included in this study, of whom 27 patients in CIB group achieved balance at the last follow-up. Binary logistic regression showed that preoperative bending L5 tilt (OR = 1.498) was a potential risk factor of postoperative CIB (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the distal wedge angle was significantly associated with immediate postoperative CB. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative L5 tilt on bending radiographs was an important risk factor of postoperative CIB in Lenke 5/6 AIS, which might be compensated by the way similar to that seen in the Lenke 1 distal adding-on phenomenon. Appropriate shortening of the fusion segments may help reduce the occurrence of postoperative CIB in patients with a relatively large L5 tilt on the postoperative bending radiograph.

Should Shoulder Balance Determine Proximal Fusion Levels in Patients With Lenke 5 Curves?

STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter review of prospectively collected data. OBJECTIVES: To identify the frequency of an opposite high shoulder in Lenke 5 patients and evaluate factors that influence preoperative and postoperative shoulder balance. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A high left shoulder is an indication to extend the fusion proximally in a right thoracic curve. Some apply a similar rule to high right shoulders in patients with left thoracolumbar/lumbar curves. METHODS: A prospective multicenter adolescent idiopathic scoliosis database was queried for patients with Lenke 5 curves and minimum 2-year follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative shoulder height differences were recorded and categorized by the opposite shoulder (right shoulder in a left thoracolumbar curve) as high (greater than 1 cm), level (0-1 cm), and low (less than 1 cm). Preoperative and postoperative radiographic variables and Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire scores were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 104 patients identified, 37% had level shoulders and 53% had a high opposite shoulder. A high shoulder was associated with a greater mean thoracic Cobb (31°) than a level (24°) or low shoulder (26°) (p = .008). Postoperatively, 64% of patients had level shoulders (less than 1 cm); 93% had a shoulder difference less than 2 cm. Preoperative lumbar Cobb was a significant predictor of postoperative shoulder height (p = .051). A slightly greater proportion of preoperative high shoulders (36%) had a nonselective fusion than those with level (27%) or low (9%) shoulders. Among the 29 patients with a preoperative moderate or significant high shoulder (greater than 2 cm), 3 continued to have a high shoulder greater than 2 cm that was not influenced by fusing the thoracic spine. There were no significant differences in preoperative or postoperative Scoliosis Research Society scores based on shoulder height (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Half of all Lenke 5 curves have a high opposite shoulder that is influenced by the size of the compensatory thoracic curve. Postoperatively, most patients had level shoulders. Inclusion of the thoracic spine did not influence postoperative shoulder balance.