title: Indications for early surgery in cases of lumbar and dorsolumbar scoliosis: the role of vertebral rotation.
abstract: There are very few objective criteria for the choice between conservative and surgical treatment of lumbar and dorsolumbar scoliosis ranging from 40 to 50 degrees. We reviewed the long-term results obtained in 76 patients treated with plaster braces because they had refused surgical treatment; in 56% of the cases a nearly 10 degree gain was maintained after the onset of treatment; all of the cases which showed improvement presented a reduction in the curve by at least half and rotation by at least one-third in tests in suspension or in bending, and this was maintained in plaster. In cases where the long-term results were poor, however, rotation did not change. In conclusion, of the many parameters examined, only a combined assessment of the reducibility of both the Cobb angle and of rotation provides a valid indication for the treatment of lumbar and dorsolumbar curves ranging from 40 to 50 degrees.
authors.affiliation: Centri Scoliosi, Fondazione Don Gnocchi Pro Juventute, Roma-Firenze.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Monticelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corigliano
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Illiano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Costanzo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001915:Braces; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014102:Torsion Abnormality