Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis - therapeutic approaches

Abstract

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is the most common form of spinal deformity. Τhe selection of an appropriate therapeutic approach remains crucial to prevent curve progression and to ensure patients’ functionality and quality of life. This mini review article aims to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of the main conservative and surgical treatment approaches for AIS, highlighting the advantages, limitations, and indications of each method. A thorough search of recent literature was conducted using PubMed, EBSCO Open Research, and Google Scholar, focusing on high-quality studies published within the last seven years, in order to capture the indications, effectiveness, and limitations of each therapeutic approach. In the field of conservative management, the review highlights the effectiveness of combined treatment regimens incorporating bracing and targeted exercise programs, such as the Schroth and SEAS methods, in stabilizing the spinal curve. The Schroth method emerges as the most well-documented therapeutic approach, followed by the SEAS and BSPTS methods. In contrast, the effectiveness of certain methods, such as FED, FITS, Lyon, DoboMed and Side Shift, has not been sufficiently substantiated. Furthermore, there is a lack of documented evidence supporting the superiority of any particular PSSE method, highlighting the need for further high-quality research. The present review indicates that PSIF is the main surgical option for AIS, while AVBT appears to be a promising alternative. Overall, the review demonstrates the effectiveness of conservative, surgical, and combined approaches in the management of AIS. However, future research involving long-term studies is necessary to adequately evaluate the long-term effectiveness of these interventions.