title: Comparison between different radiographic methods for evaluating the flexibility of scoliosis curves.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare different radiographic methods of spine evaluation to estimate the reducibility and flexibility of the scoliosis curves.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty one patients with Lenke types I and III adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) were included. Radiographic evaluations were made preoperatively on the orthostatic, supine decubitus with lateral inclination to the right and left and supine positions with manual reduction, with support in the apex of each curve on the X-ray table. On the day of surgery, when the patient was anesthetized, radiography was taken with longitudinal traction through divergent forces, holding under the arms and ankles, and with translational force at the apex of the deformity for curve correction. After one week, a post-operative radiography was performed in orthostatic position.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The correction and flexibility of the main thoracic and thoracic/lumbar curves were statistically different between the supine radiographs, manual reduction, modified traction under general anesthesia, lateral inclination and postoperatively. The modified maneuver for traction under general anesthesia is the one which showed greater flexibility, besides presenting higher radiographic similarity to postoperative aspects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the radiographic modalities evaluated the study under anesthesia with traction and reduction showed better correlation with postoperative radiographic appearance. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil, Spinal Column Surgery Group, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC - Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciano Miller Reis
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil, Spinal Column Surgery Group, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC - Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabrício Hitoshi
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil, Spinal Column Surgery Group, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC - Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alberto Ofenhejm
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Gotfryd
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil, Spinal Column Surgery Group, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC - Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mattar
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil, Spinal Column Surgery Group, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC - Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edison Noboru
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Fujiki
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil, Spinal Column Surgery Group, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC - Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Milani
keywords: Preoperative care; Radiography; Scoliosis