Work

Functional changes with age in idiopathic scoliotic patients: evaluation of kinematic limitations and their compensatory mechanisms

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: variation (Δ=post-pre) of variables was calculated.Kinematic and radiographic parameters were compared to controls and pre vs post-operatively.Correlations between variables were analyzed.Results: Postoperatively, the average major Cobb was reduced to 22±8 • ; the average number of fixed vertebrae was 11±1, ranging from T3 to L4.During anatomical trunk movements, Lenke-1 patients showed a postoperative reduction in the maximal trunk flexion (77 vs 93 • in preop & 113 • in ctr), extension (-35 vs -45 • in preop & ctr), and lateral bending (-31 vs -48 • in preop & ctr; all p<0.05).Those with longer fusion that included the lumbar spine (reaching L2 to L4) had more reduced sagittal ROM during trunk flexion (74 vs 90 • , p=0.016).Trunk rotational range of motion (ROM) remained comparable to preoperative values and to ctr (68 • ).This was associated with a decreased shoulder rotation relative to pelvis (30 vs 50 • in preop & ctr) and an increased pelvic rotation (54 vs 35 • in preop & ctr; Figure 1).During both walking and STS movements, thoracic, lumbar and lumbo-pelvic bending that were limited preoperatively, reached normal values postoperatively.The number of fused vertebrae was negatively correlated to the variation in trunk and lumbar segment bending during all movements (ρ=-0.6 and -0.5 resp.; all p<0.05).Selfimage increased postoperatively (4.5 vs 2.5 in preop, p=0.01).Conclusion: This introductory study showed that trunk mobility was significantly reduced primarily in the sagittal and frontal planes, especially in patients with non-selective fusion.However, axial rotation was relatively preserved, likely due to compensatory pelvic motion in the transverse plane.Despite these trunk movement limitations, walking and sit-to-stand functional tasks were not adversely affected, while selfimage improved.

Source: Brain and Spine

DOI: 10.1016/j.bas.2026.106492