Sports activity of patients with idiopathic scoliosis at long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess long-term the sports activities of operatively and nonoperatively treated patients with idiopathic scoliosis and compare these activities with those of controls.


METHODS
Cross-sectional case-control study, performed at The Orthopaedic University Hospital Heidelberg.


METHODS
The study enrolled 59 patients (53 female, 6 male; mean age 43 years) with idiopathic scoliosis and a minimum follow-up of 5 years (mean 22 years) since treatment (28 nonoperative, 31 operative). Mean Cobb angle at the time of the study was 54 degrees. An age-adjusted control group (n = 33) with no history of spinal disorder was evaluated at the same time. All participants in the study (n = 92) completed a questionnaire assessing spinal function (Spine Score) and sporting activity (Sport Score). In addition, the scoliosis patients underwent radiographic evaluation of their spine. The groups were compared by analysis of variance. In order to assess the relationship between two variables, Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated.


RESULTS
Both groups of scoliosis patients attained a lower Sport Score than the controls (p < 0.015 and p < 0.006, respectively). There was no difference between the two scoliosis groups. Reduced spinal function correlated with reduced sports activity (p < 0.001). In both scoliosis groups, the subscales "back pain" and "physical activity" correlated with sporting activity (p < 0.03 and p < 0.02, respectively). In the surgically treated patients, Cobb angle correlated with reduced sports activity (p < 0.03). The extent of the spinal arthrodesis (number of segments) in surgically treated patients had no effect on their sports activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Over the long term, patients with idiopathic scoliosis suffer impairment of their sports activities compared with age-matched controls. The main reasons for this are functional impairment and the frequency of back pain. Sports activity is not more restricted after extended spinal fusion than it is after nonoperative treatment.
Parsch
Dominik
D
The Orthopaedic University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. dominik.parsch@ok.uniheidelberg.de
Gärtner
Vera
V
Brocai
Dario R C
DR
Carstens
Claus
C
Schmitt
Holger
H
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D013131:Spine / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome