title: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: modern management guidelines.
abstract: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), a structural lateral curvature of the spine of uncertain etiology, is the most common cause of spinal deformity in adolescents. In its most severe form, AIS is characterized by progressive spinal curvature that may lead to a permanent deformity. Thus, the goal of treatment is early detection and prevention of progression. This article provides a review of general spinal anatomy relevant to AIS and its etiology, describes several proposed methods of classifying curves in AIS, delineates the natural history of AIS, and discusses the nonoperative and operative treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. ehenze1@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shindle
authors.forename: A Jay
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: Rishi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhatnagar
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Sponseller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001915:Braces; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013123:Spinal Fusion