title: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scoliosis refers to deviation of spine greater than 10 degrees in the coronal plane. Idiopathic Scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity that develops in otherwise healthy children. The sub types of scoliosis are based on the age of the child at presentation. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by definition occurs in children over the age of 10 years until skeletal maturity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this review is to outline the features of AIS to allow the physician to recognise this condition and commence early treatment, thereby optimizing patient outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A thorough literature search was performed using available databases, including Pubmed and Embase, to cover important research published covering AIS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AIS results in higher incidence of back pain and discontent with body image. Curves greater than 50 degrees in thoracic region and greater than 30 degrees in lumbar region progress at a rate of 0.5 to 1 degree per year into adulthood. Curves greater than 60 degrees can lead to pulmonary functional deficit. Therefore once the disease is recognized, effective treatment should be instituted to address the deformity and prevention of its long-term sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Muhammad Naghman
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Choudhry
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Unit, Addenbrookes Hospital, Box 180 Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Zafar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Unit, Addenbrookes Hospital, Box 180 Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rajat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verma
keywords: Adolescent; deformity; scoliosis; spine