What is the influence of surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis on postural control?

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of surgical treatment on the control of upright balance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).MethodsThirty adolescents were divided into two groups: Group C (n = 15) consisted of individuals without scoliosis (control), and Group S (n = 15) consisted of individuals with scoliosis. The mean amplitude and velocity of the center of pressure (COP) evaluations in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions were obtained before surgery and at 7, 30, 60 and 90-days after surgery, in an upright position, using a force platform.ResultsGroup S showed larger oscillation than Group C before surgery. The COP oscillation in Group S after surgery was larger than that in the pre-surgery period. The oscillation diminished over the post-surgery period, but individuals in the 90-day post-surgery period still had larger oscillation compared with the oscillation in the pre-surgery period.ConclusionGroup S had larger AP and ML mean amplitude and mean velocity before and after surgery compared with Group C, which suggests that a sensorimotor impairment or sensory integration problem could explain the balance control alterations more than biomechanical factors in the AIS.

► Adolescent with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) presents deficit of balance. ► Upright balance of AIS was worse than control group. ► After 90 days of corrective spinal surgery, the balance deficit of AIS remained. ► Deficit seems to be associated mainly to sensoriomotor impairments.