title: Conservative management of idiopathic scoliosis--guidelines based on SOSORT 2006 Consensus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic scoliosis, defined as a lateral curvature of the spine of above 10 degrees (Cobb angle), is seen in 2-3% of the growing age population, while curves above 20 degrees , requiring conservative treatment, are found in 0.3-0.5%. In our observation, both under-treatment of progressive curves and over-treatment of stable cases are common during conservative management of scoliosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A model of therapeutic management is presented based on the experience of Polish clinicians specialising in the treatment of scoliosis as well as the effects of work of a panel of experts of SOSORT (Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment). The model comprises the indications for conservative treatment according to age, curve type and size and Risser grading. The aetiology, classifications, usefulness of the Lonstein and Carlson factor of progression and other methods of determining the probability of scoliosis progression, as well as the psychological aspects of conservative management are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on the knowledge of the natural history of idiopathic scoliosis, factors of progression and on the SOSORT experts' opinion, guidelines are proposed for clinicians treating children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, including the timing and course of brace treatment and the types of exercises.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uniform practical guidelines developed by experts may represent an essential step towards establishing standards of conservative scoliosis care in our country.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Ortopedii i Traumatologii Dzieciecej Uniwersytet Medyczny, Poznań, Poland. kotwicki@ump.edu.pl
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kotwicki
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Durmała
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Czaprowski
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Głowacki
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kołban
authors.forename: Sławomir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Snela
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sliwiński
authors.forename: Ireneusz M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Kowalski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001915:Braces / Q000592:standards; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards; D011044:Poland; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009626:Terminology as Topic