title: Adult degenerative scoliosis: a review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review and define principles and features of treatment for adult degenerative scoliosis, the most common cause of adult spinal deformities.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature and our clinical experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of Medline was conducted, including journal articles published in March 2007 and before. We searched for articles related to adult spinal deformities (scoliosis) and treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Degenerative scoliosis is a complex disorder. The primary surgical aims are to decompress the neural elements, normalize both sagittal balance and coronal and rotational deformity, fixate to the sacrum/ilium when appropriate, and optimize conditions for osteogenesis and fusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Birknes
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Todd J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: Christopher I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Shaffrey
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Harrop
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000639:trends