BIOMECHANICAL FACTORS IN THE AETIOLOGY OF SCOLIOSIS SO-CALLED IDIOPATHIC. NEW CLASSIFICATION. NEW CLINICAL TESTS, NEW CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT AND PROPHYLAXIS.

Abstract

 Etiology of so-called idiopathic scoliosis was unknown through many years. Biomechanical reasons of scoliosis were described in 1995 in Lublin, Poland. In next years (1997-2007) the knowledge about the problem of scoliosis was enlarged and confirmed in Poland and in other countries. The biomechanical influences consist of asymmetry of movement of hips, asymmetry of loading during gait and asymmetry of time of standing on left/right leg (more on right), next asymmetry of growth and development of pelvis and spine. In result of these asymmetries scoliosis develops. Each type of scoliosis begins as the child starts to stand and to walk, very early in 2 to 4 years of life. Material for research was 1.450 children. Biomechanical models of hips and its influence on type of scoliosis (new classification): S double scoliosis (I epg) – in some cases we observe lordoscoliosis; C one curve scoliosis (II/A epg); S double scoliosis (II/B epg), the thoracic curve is secondary, in some cases we observe kyphoscoliosis; I scoliosis (III epg). There are also indirect influences of central nervous system in small children and scoliosis in future if there are coexistence of minimal brain damage (MBD) and syndrome of contractures and deformities (observation from May/June 2007). MBD in some children influence extension contracture (positioning) of trunk, anterior tilt of pelvis and general laxity of joints, and later vulnerability to development or progression of scoliosis. Discovery of etiology of so-called idiopathic scoliosis enables causative prophylaxis of spine deformities which is so important in Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010. We present the new clinical tests for the discovery of the early stage of scoliosis and new rehabilitation exercises with causative prophylaxis.