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Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Current Approaches and Treatment Options

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 148 - 155, 03.08.2025

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a spinal deformity that emerges during adolescence and may progress over time. Although its exact etiology remains unclear, it is thought to involve a complex interplay of genetic, neurological, and developmental factors. Early diagnosis and regular follow-up are crucial determinants of disease progression and treatment success.
Treatment approaches are tailored based on the degree of curvature and skeletal maturity, ranging from observation to bracing and surgical intervention. Particularly in individuals undergoing growth, consistent and effective use of braces is critical to prevent curve progression. Surgical treatment is preferred in cases with severe curvatures to correct the deformity and halt its advancement.
The many unknowns surrounding the pathogenesis of AIS underscore the importance of continued research in this field. Advances in diagnostic techniques and innovative treatment strategies may offer more effective and lasting solutions. Current literature emphasizes the significance of personalized treatment planning and a multidisciplinary approach. There remains a continuing need for future research in the fields of genetics and biomechanics. Although artificial intelligence has made significant progress, it is not yet sufficiently functional for routine clinical use and requires further development.

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışmada ulusal ve uluslararası etik kurallara uyulmuştur

Supporting Institution

Yazarlar bu çalışma için finansal destek almadıklarını beyan etmişlerdir.

References

  • 1. Hresko MT. Clinical practice. Idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(9):834-41. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1209063.
  • 2. Cheng JC, Castelein RM, Chu WC, Danielsson AJ, Dobbs MB, GrivasTB, et al. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015;1:15030. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2015.30.
  • 3. Konieczny MR, Senyurt H, Krauspe R. Epidemiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. J Child Orthop. 2013;7(1):3-9. doi: 10.1007/s11832-012-0457-4.
  • 4. Zhu Z, Xu L, Qiu Y. Current progress in genetic research of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(Suppl 1):S19. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.02.04
  • 5. Dai Z, Min K, Wu Z, Xu L, Feng Z, Qiu Y, et al. Genetic variants can predict the outcome of brace treatment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2025;50(4):238–42. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000005137.
  • 6. Sharma S, Gao X, Londono D, Devroy ES, Mauldin KN, Frankel JT, et al. Genome-wide association studies of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis suggest candidate susceptibility genes. Hum Mol Genet. 2011;20(7):1456-1466. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddq571.
  • 7. Stokes IA. Analysis and simulation of progressive adolescent scoliosis by biomechanical growth modulation. Eur Spine J. 2007;16(10):1621-8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-007-0442-7.
  • 8. de Abreu DC, Gomes MM, de Santiago HA, Herrero CF, Porto MA, Defino HL. What is the influence of surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis on postural control? Gait Posture. 2012 Jul;36(3):586-90. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.05.019. Epub 2012 Jun 27. PMID: 22743026.
  • 9. Machida M, Dubousset J, Imamura Y, Miyashita Y, Yamada T, Kimura J. Melatonin deficiency in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996;21(10):1147-52. doi: 10.1097/00007632-199605150-00005.
  • 10. Villemure I, Stokes IA. Growth plate mechanics and mechanobiology. A survey of present understanding. J Biomech. 2009;42(12):1793-803. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.05.021.
  • 11. Kuru T, Yeldan İ, Dereli EE, Özdinçler AR, Dikici F, Çolak İ. The efficacy of three-dimensional Schroth exercises in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Clin Rehabil. 2016;30(2):181-90. doi: 10.1177/0269215515575745.
  • 12. Koumbourlis AC. Scoliosis and the respiratory system. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2006;7(2):152-60. doi: 10.1016/j.prrv.2006.04.009
  • 13. Weinstein SL, Dolan LA. The Evidence Base for the Prognosis and Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: The 2015 Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Clinical Research Award. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015;97(22):1899-903. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.O.00330.
  • 14. Goldberg CJ, Moore DP, Fogarty EE, Dowling FE. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: the effect of brace treatment on the incidence of surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001;26(1):42-7. doi: 10.1097/00007632-200101010-00009.
  • 15. Yawn BP, Yawn RA. The estimated cost of school scoliosis screening. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2000;25(18):2387-91. doi: 10.1097/00007632-200009150-00019.
  • 16. Lonstein JE, Carlson JM. The prediction of curve progression in untreated idiopathic scoliosis during growth. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1984;66(7):1061-71. PMID: 6480635
  • 17. Danielsson AJ, Nachemson AL. Back pain and function 23 years after fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case-control study-part II. Spine. 2003;28(18):E373-83. doi: 10.1097/01.BRS.0000084267.41183.75.
  • 18. Ovadia D. Classification of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). J Child Orthop. 2013;7(1):25-8. doi: 10.1007/s11832-012-0459-2.
  • 19. Weinstein SL, Dolan LA, Wright JG, Dobbs MB. Effects of bracing in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. N Engl J Med. 2013;369(16):1512-21. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1307337.
  • 20. Monticone M, Ambrosini E, Cazzaniga D, Rocca B, Ferrante S. Active self-correction and task-oriented exercises reduce spinal deformity and improve quality of life in subjects with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: results of a randomised controlled trial. Eur Spine J. 2014;23(6):1204-14. doi: 10.1007/s00586-014-3241-y.
  • 21. Zhu C, Wu Q, Xiao B, Wang J, Luo C, Yu Q, Liu L, Song Y. A compliance real-time monitoring system for the management of the brace usage in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients: a pilot study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021;22(1):152. doi:10.1186/s12891-021-03976-5
  • 22. Negrini S, Donzelli S, Aulisa AG, Czaprowski D, Schreiber S, Mauroy JC, et al. 2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis Spinal Disord. 2018;13:3. doi: 10.1186/s13013-017-0145-8.
  • 23. Courvoisier A, Baroncini A, Jeandel C, Barra C, Lefevre Y, Solla F, Gouron R, Métaizeau JD, Maximin MC, Cunin V. Vertebral Body Tethering in AIS Management-A Preliminary Report. Children (Basel). 2023 Jan 20;10(2):192. doi: 10.3390/children10020192. PMID: 36832321; PMCID: PMC9955337.
  • 24. Roser MJ, Askin GN, Labrom RD, Alshryda S, Rushton PRP, Godzik J, et al. Vertebral body tethering for idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spine Deform. 2023;11(6):1297–307. doi: 10.1007/s43390-023-00723-9.
  • 25. Lau KKL, Kwan KYH, Wong TKT, Cheung JPY. Current Status of Vertebral Body Tethering for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Umbrella Review. Orthop Res Rev. 2024;16:305-15. doi: 10.2147/ORR.S502053.
  • 26. Metaizeau JD, Denis D. Posterior vertebral body tethering: a preliminary study of a new technique. Children (Basel). 2024;11(2):157. doi: 10.3390/children11020157.
  • 27. Stamiris S, Sofos C, Sarridimitriou A. et al. Comparative meta-analysis of vertebral body tethering and posterior spinal fusion in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Evaluation of radiographic, perioperative, clinical, patient-reported outcomes, and complication rates. Spine Deform (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-025-01113-z
  • 28. Xie K, Zhu S, Lin J, Li Y, Huang J, Lei W, Yan Y. A deep learning model for radiological measurement of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using biplanar radiographs. J Orthop Surg Res. 2025;20(1):236. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05620-7.
  • 29. Goldman SN, Hui AT, Choi S, Zhou Y, Lee H, Ghasem A, et al. Applications of artificial intelligence for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: mapping the evidence. Spine Deform 2024;12(6):1545-70. doi: 10.1007/s43390-024-00940-w.
  • 30. Reames DL, Smith JS, Fu KM, Polly DW, Ames CP, Berven SH, et al. Complications in the surgical treatment of 19,360 cases of pediatric scoliosis. A review of the Scoliosis Research Society morbidity and mortality database. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011;36(18):1484-91. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181f3a326.
  • 31. Asher MA, Lai SM, Burton DC, Manna B. The influence of spine and trunk deformity on preoperative idiopathic scoliosis patients' health related quality of life questionnaire responses. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2004;29(8):861–868. doi:10.1097/00007632-200404150-00008
  • 32. Reichel D, Schanz J. Developmental psychological aspects of scoliosis treatment. Pediatr Rehabil. 2003;6(3-4):221-5. doi: 10.1080/13638490310001644593.

Adölesan İdiopatik Skolyoz: Güncel Yaklaşımlar ve Tedavi Seçenekleri

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 148 - 155, 03.08.2025

Abstract

Adölesan idiopatik skolyoz (AIS), ergenlik döneminde ortaya çıkan ve ilerleyebilen bir omurga deformitesidir. Etiyolojisi tam olarak aydınlatılamamış olmakla birlikte, genetik, nörolojik ve büyümeye bağlı faktörlerin karmaşık bir etkileşimini içerdiği düşünülmektedir. Erken tanı ve düzenli takip, hastalığın seyrini ve tedavi başarısını doğrudan etkileyen en önemli unsurlardır.
Tedavi yaklaşımları, eğriliğin derecesine ve iskeletsel olgunluğa göre belirlenmekte; gözlem, korse tedavisi ve cerrahi seçenekler arasında bireyselleştirilmiş bir planlama yapılmaktadır. Özellikle büyüme çağında olan bireylerde, eğriliğin ilerlemesini önlemek amacıyla korsenin etkin ve düzenli kullanımı kritik öneme sahiptir. Cerrahi tedavi ise büyük eğriliklerde deformitenin düzeltilmesi ve ilerlemenin durdurulması amacıyla tercih edilmektedir.
Adölesan idiyopatik skolyozun patogenezine dair bilinmeyenlerin fazlalığı, bu alanda yapılacak araştırmaların önemini artırmaktadır. Gelişen tanı yöntemleri ve yenilikçi tedavi yaklaşımlarıyla, daha etkin ve kalıcı çözümlere ulaşmak mümkün olabilir. Güncel literatür, bireyselleştirilmiş tedavi planlarının ve multidisipliner yaklaşımın önemini vurgulamaktadır. Gelecekte genetik ve biyomekanik alanlarında yapılacak çalışmalara duyulan ihtiyaç devam etmektedir. Öte yandan, yapay zekâ önemli bir gelişim göstermiş olsa da mevcut durumda klinik kullanım açısından yeterince işlevsel değildir ve daha da geliştirilmesi gerekmektedir.

References

  • 1. Hresko MT. Clinical practice. Idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(9):834-41. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1209063.
  • 2. Cheng JC, Castelein RM, Chu WC, Danielsson AJ, Dobbs MB, GrivasTB, et al. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015;1:15030. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2015.30.
  • 3. Konieczny MR, Senyurt H, Krauspe R. Epidemiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. J Child Orthop. 2013;7(1):3-9. doi: 10.1007/s11832-012-0457-4.
  • 4. Zhu Z, Xu L, Qiu Y. Current progress in genetic research of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(Suppl 1):S19. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.02.04
  • 5. Dai Z, Min K, Wu Z, Xu L, Feng Z, Qiu Y, et al. Genetic variants can predict the outcome of brace treatment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2025;50(4):238–42. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000005137.
  • 6. Sharma S, Gao X, Londono D, Devroy ES, Mauldin KN, Frankel JT, et al. Genome-wide association studies of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis suggest candidate susceptibility genes. Hum Mol Genet. 2011;20(7):1456-1466. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddq571.
  • 7. Stokes IA. Analysis and simulation of progressive adolescent scoliosis by biomechanical growth modulation. Eur Spine J. 2007;16(10):1621-8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-007-0442-7.
  • 8. de Abreu DC, Gomes MM, de Santiago HA, Herrero CF, Porto MA, Defino HL. What is the influence of surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis on postural control? Gait Posture. 2012 Jul;36(3):586-90. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.05.019. Epub 2012 Jun 27. PMID: 22743026.
  • 9. Machida M, Dubousset J, Imamura Y, Miyashita Y, Yamada T, Kimura J. Melatonin deficiency in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1996;21(10):1147-52. doi: 10.1097/00007632-199605150-00005.
  • 10. Villemure I, Stokes IA. Growth plate mechanics and mechanobiology. A survey of present understanding. J Biomech. 2009;42(12):1793-803. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.05.021.
  • 11. Kuru T, Yeldan İ, Dereli EE, Özdinçler AR, Dikici F, Çolak İ. The efficacy of three-dimensional Schroth exercises in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Clin Rehabil. 2016;30(2):181-90. doi: 10.1177/0269215515575745.
  • 12. Koumbourlis AC. Scoliosis and the respiratory system. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2006;7(2):152-60. doi: 10.1016/j.prrv.2006.04.009
  • 13. Weinstein SL, Dolan LA. The Evidence Base for the Prognosis and Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: The 2015 Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation Clinical Research Award. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015;97(22):1899-903. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.O.00330.
  • 14. Goldberg CJ, Moore DP, Fogarty EE, Dowling FE. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: the effect of brace treatment on the incidence of surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001;26(1):42-7. doi: 10.1097/00007632-200101010-00009.
  • 15. Yawn BP, Yawn RA. The estimated cost of school scoliosis screening. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2000;25(18):2387-91. doi: 10.1097/00007632-200009150-00019.
  • 16. Lonstein JE, Carlson JM. The prediction of curve progression in untreated idiopathic scoliosis during growth. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1984;66(7):1061-71. PMID: 6480635
  • 17. Danielsson AJ, Nachemson AL. Back pain and function 23 years after fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case-control study-part II. Spine. 2003;28(18):E373-83. doi: 10.1097/01.BRS.0000084267.41183.75.
  • 18. Ovadia D. Classification of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). J Child Orthop. 2013;7(1):25-8. doi: 10.1007/s11832-012-0459-2.
  • 19. Weinstein SL, Dolan LA, Wright JG, Dobbs MB. Effects of bracing in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. N Engl J Med. 2013;369(16):1512-21. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1307337.
  • 20. Monticone M, Ambrosini E, Cazzaniga D, Rocca B, Ferrante S. Active self-correction and task-oriented exercises reduce spinal deformity and improve quality of life in subjects with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: results of a randomised controlled trial. Eur Spine J. 2014;23(6):1204-14. doi: 10.1007/s00586-014-3241-y.
  • 21. Zhu C, Wu Q, Xiao B, Wang J, Luo C, Yu Q, Liu L, Song Y. A compliance real-time monitoring system for the management of the brace usage in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients: a pilot study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021;22(1):152. doi:10.1186/s12891-021-03976-5
  • 22. Negrini S, Donzelli S, Aulisa AG, Czaprowski D, Schreiber S, Mauroy JC, et al. 2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis Spinal Disord. 2018;13:3. doi: 10.1186/s13013-017-0145-8.
  • 23. Courvoisier A, Baroncini A, Jeandel C, Barra C, Lefevre Y, Solla F, Gouron R, Métaizeau JD, Maximin MC, Cunin V. Vertebral Body Tethering in AIS Management-A Preliminary Report. Children (Basel). 2023 Jan 20;10(2):192. doi: 10.3390/children10020192. PMID: 36832321; PMCID: PMC9955337.
  • 24. Roser MJ, Askin GN, Labrom RD, Alshryda S, Rushton PRP, Godzik J, et al. Vertebral body tethering for idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spine Deform. 2023;11(6):1297–307. doi: 10.1007/s43390-023-00723-9.
  • 25. Lau KKL, Kwan KYH, Wong TKT, Cheung JPY. Current Status of Vertebral Body Tethering for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Umbrella Review. Orthop Res Rev. 2024;16:305-15. doi: 10.2147/ORR.S502053.
  • 26. Metaizeau JD, Denis D. Posterior vertebral body tethering: a preliminary study of a new technique. Children (Basel). 2024;11(2):157. doi: 10.3390/children11020157.
  • 27. Stamiris S, Sofos C, Sarridimitriou A. et al. Comparative meta-analysis of vertebral body tethering and posterior spinal fusion in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Evaluation of radiographic, perioperative, clinical, patient-reported outcomes, and complication rates. Spine Deform (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43390-025-01113-z
  • 28. Xie K, Zhu S, Lin J, Li Y, Huang J, Lei W, Yan Y. A deep learning model for radiological measurement of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using biplanar radiographs. J Orthop Surg Res. 2025;20(1):236. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05620-7.
  • 29. Goldman SN, Hui AT, Choi S, Zhou Y, Lee H, Ghasem A, et al. Applications of artificial intelligence for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: mapping the evidence. Spine Deform 2024;12(6):1545-70. doi: 10.1007/s43390-024-00940-w.
  • 30. Reames DL, Smith JS, Fu KM, Polly DW, Ames CP, Berven SH, et al. Complications in the surgical treatment of 19,360 cases of pediatric scoliosis. A review of the Scoliosis Research Society morbidity and mortality database. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011;36(18):1484-91. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181f3a326.
  • 31. Asher MA, Lai SM, Burton DC, Manna B. The influence of spine and trunk deformity on preoperative idiopathic scoliosis patients' health related quality of life questionnaire responses. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2004;29(8):861–868. doi:10.1097/00007632-200404150-00008
  • 32. Reichel D, Schanz J. Developmental psychological aspects of scoliosis treatment. Pediatr Rehabil. 2003;6(3-4):221-5. doi: 10.1080/13638490310001644593.
There are 32 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Brain and Nerve Surgery (Neurosurgery), Orthopaedics
Journal Section Review
Authors

Birol Özkal 0000-0002-4056-6936

Günbay Noyan Dirlik 0000-0003-0738-6455

Early Pub Date August 3, 2025
Publication Date August 3, 2025
Submission Date April 23, 2025
Acceptance Date July 1, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 9 Issue: 2

Cite

Vancouver Özkal B, Dirlik GN. Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Current Approaches and Treatment Options. Acta Med. Alanya. 2025;9(2):148-55.

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