Overview of the changes in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients after posterior fusion surgery

Year 2025, Volume: 42 Issue: 3, 338 - 342, 30.09.2025

Elçin Akyürek , Ayşe Zengin Alpözgen , Özcan Kaya

Abstract

Surgical approaches are used for the treatment of curvatures above 45 degrees in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which is defined as a 3-dimensional deformity of the spine and seen in adolescence. Posterior spinal fusion (PSF) surgery, which is accepted as the gold standard for AIS operative treatment, gives successful results in terms of deformity correction, but besides it can affect people's body structure and functions, activity levels, and participation in social life. When the changes in AIS patients after PSF surgery are overviewed within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health; it is seen that individuals with AIS experience movement limitations in the fusion and adjacent segments, pain, scapula and postural stabilization problems, and a decrease in aerobic capacity. These changes in body structure and functions may cause intervertebral disc and musculoskeletal problems in the future and may affect the activity levels of individuals and their participation in social life. Therefore, these issues should be considered when a postoperative rehabilitation program is designed. Also, because there are no long-term results in the studies evaluating scapula muscle activity, postural control and balance, physical activity, return to sports, and quality of life, there is a need for further studies specifically evaluating these parameters.

Keywords

spinal surgery , posture , function , disability , participation

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