ObjectiveTo review the recent progress in research on the role of estrogen and estrogen receptor on the onset and progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). MethodsThe recently published clinical and experimental 1iterature at home and abroad on abnormality of estrogen and its receptor in AIS was reviewed and summarized. ResultsThere are many abnormal changes of estrogen and estrogen receptor in most AIS patients, including higher serum estrogen concentration, unusual cellular response to estrogen, late age at menarche, and gene polymorphisms of estrogen receptor, which are closely associated with AIS predisposition, curve severity, and scoliosis progression. ConclusionEstrogen and its receptor participate in the onset and progression of AIS by certain mechanisms, but exact mechanism remains indefinite, which needs further research to better define the role of estrogen and its receptor in AIS.
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes and relationship of cervical spine sagittal alignment and other spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. MethodsBetween July 2011 and July 2014, 35 patients with idiopathic scoliosis who met the inclusion criteria underwent posterior pedicle screw instrumentation and fusion. There were 12 males and 23 females with a mean age of 16.2 years (range, 13-20 years), including 16 cases of Lenke type 1, 7 cases of Lenke type 2, 4 cases of Lenke type 3, 3 cases of Lenke type 4, 4 cases of Lenke type 5, and 1 case of Lenke type 6. The average follow-up time was 10.9 months (range, 5-36 months). The pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), cervical lordosis (CL), T1 slope, C2 slope, C7 sagittal vertical axis (C7 SVA), C2-7 plumbline (cSVA) were measured on pre-and post-operative standing lateral X-ray film. Based on preoperative CL, the patients were divided into kyphosis group (CL>0°) and lordosis group (CL < 0°); after operation, the patients were divided into restored lordosis (group A), decreased kyphosis (group B), and increased lordosis (group C) after operation. All data about sagittal profile changes were analyzed. The relations between CL and other spinal-pelvic parameters in the kyphosis and lordosis groups before operation were determined via Spearman correlation coefficient. ResultsStatistically significant changes were observed in PT, PI, SS, and LL between at pre-and post-operation (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the other parameters (P>0.05). There were 17 patients in lordosis group and 18 in kyphosis group before operation. Intra-group comparisons showed significant changes in PT, PI, SS, C2 slope, and C7 SVA in lordosis group, and in PT, PI, SS, LL, CL, TK, T1 slope, and C2 slope in kyphosis group (P < 0.05). Subgroup comparisons showed significant changes in CL, TK, C2 slope, C7 SVA, and T1 slope before operation (P < 0.05) and T1 slope at last follow-up between 2 groups (P < 0.05). In kyphosis group, 7 cases (group A) had restored lordosis, 7 cases (group B) had decreased kyphosis, and 4 cases had increased lordosis. In lordosis group, 9 cases (group C) had increased lordosis, 3 cases had decreased lordosis, and 5 cases had kyphotic cervical alignment after operation. Significant difference was found in LL, CL, T1 slope, C2 slope, and C7 SVA of group A, in TK and CL of group B, and in CL and cSVA of group C between pre-and post-operation (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in pre-and post-operative LL between groups A and B (P < 0.05). In lordosis group, there was a strong correlation between CL and C2 slope (P < 0.05) at pre-operation. CL had strong correlation with C2 slope and T1 slope (P < 0.05) at pre-operation in kyphosis group, and CL had moderate correlation with cSVA (P < 0.05). ConclusionCervical sagittal alignment plays an important role in the balance of the spine and pelvis. The change of cervical sagittal alignment has a certain correlation with the change of thoracic kyphosis. Attention to properly maintaining or restoring cervical sagittal lordosis alignment should be considered in preoperative evaluation of adolescent indiopathic scoliosis.
ObjectiveTo identify the prevalence of distal adding-on phenomenon after posterior selective fusion in type Lenke 1A idiopathic scoliosis, to analyze its risk factors so as to find the reasonable choice for lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV). MethodsA retrospective study was made on the clinical data of 43 patients with type Lenke 1A idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior selection fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation between July 2011 and December 2015. There were 15 males and 28 females, aged 12-18 years (mean, 16 years). The preoperative Cobb angle was (50.1±11.3)°. The anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were taken at preoperation, immediate after operation, and last follow-up to measure the radiographic parameters. Forty-three patients were divided into adding-on group and control group according to whether or not the occurrence of distal adding-on phenomenon on anteroposterior radiographs of the spine at last follow-up. All the factors that maybe cause distsal adding-on were evaluated by statistical analysis. ResultsThe patients were followed up 12-50 months (mean, 26.5 months). At last follow-up, distal adding-on was observed in 10 of 43 patients (23.3%), including 2 males (13.3%) and 8 females (28.6%). Univariate analyses showed following several factors associated with adding-on:preoperative lumbar flexibility, preoperative pelvic tilt in coronal plane, preoperative LIV+1 deviation from center sacral vertical line, L4 subtype, the difference between LIV and last touching vertebra (LTV) (LIV-LTV), the difference between LIV and lower end vertebra (LEV) (LIV-LEV), and the difference between LIV and stable vertebra (SV) (LIV-SV). The risk factors above were brought into Logistic regression model, the results showed that preoperative LIV+1 deviation (deviation>10 mm, odds ratio=10.812, P=0.026), LIV-LTV (LIV-LTV<1, odds ratio=9.017, P=0.04), and L4 subtype (1A-R, odds ratio=9.744, P=0.047) were significantly associated with adding-on. ConclusionPreoperative LIV+1 deviation of >10 mm, L4 subtype (1A-R) and LIV-LTV of <1 are independent predictive factors of adding-on after surgery. As high risk of adding-on was closely related with the incorrect fusion level, it plays an important role for surgeons to decide the level of the fusion before surgery thoroughly. The LIV should be extended at least to LTV+1 to avoid adding-on phenomenon.
Objective To analyze the correlation between the polymorphism on interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene promoter region-174 locus and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), including the susceptibility, the bracing effectiveness, and the possible mechanism. Methods The 182 AIS patients and 210 healthy controls who met the inclusion criteria between January 2013 and January 2016 were collected as research objects. The genotype of IL-6 gene promoter region-174 locus, the serum IL-6, the bone mineral density (BMD) of femoral neck and vertebrae (L1–4), and the bone metabolism parameters, including bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), bone gla protein (BGP), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), urine Ca, and urine Ca/Cr, were detected. All research objects were divided into the AIS group and the control group according to whether they had AIS, the GG, CG, CC groups according to their genotype, and progression-free group and progression group according to the therapeutic effectiveness of 1-year bracing treatment. Statistical analysis for the indexes were conducted respectively. Results There were significant differences in AIS history, BMD of femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae between the AIS group and control group (P<0.05). According to the therapeutic effecitveness of 1-year bracing treatment, 182 AIS patients were divided into progression-free group in 110 cases and progression group in 72 cases. The results of single factor analysis showed that there were significant differences in the genotype and allele distribution of IL-6 gene promoter region-174 locus, BMD of femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae, IL-6, TRACP-5b, urine Ca, and urine Ca/Cr between the progression-free group and progression group (P<0.05). The results of multivariable analysis showed that the BMD of lumbar vertebrae, TRACP-5b, and urine Ca were the influencing factors of bracing efficacy (P<0.05). According to the results of genotype detection, all research objects were divided into GG group in 264 cases, CG group in 104 cases, and CC group in 24 cases. The IL-6, TRACP-5b, urine Ca, and urine Ca/Cr of GG type carriers were higher and BMD of femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae were lower when compared with the CG and CC type carriers (P<0.05). The BMD of lumbar vertebrae of CG type carriers was lower than that of CC type carriers (P<0.05). Conclusion The polymorphism of IL-6 genepromoter region-174 locus wasn’t correlated with the AIS susceptibility, but it was correlated (not independently correlated) with the scoliosis progression under bracing treatment, and the risk for G-carried patients was higher. The mechanism may be that the polymorphism affected the IL-6 expression level and eventually affected the BMD of AIS patients through the bone metabolism.
ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term effectiveness of proximal fixation of one vertebra above to the upper end vertebra and the upper end vertebra in the treatment of Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with preoperative right higher shoulder.MethodsThe clinical data of 37 Lenke type 1 AIS patients treated with posterior correction between January 2010 and December 2015 were retrospectively analysed. According to proximal fixation vertebra, the patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (n=17), proximal fixation of one vertebra above to the upper end vertebra; group B (n=20), proximal fixation of the upper end vertebra. There was no significant difference in gender, age, Risser stage, radiographic shoulder height (RSH), flexibility of proximal thoracic curve, flexibility of main thoracic curve, flexibility of thoracolumbar/lumbar curve between 2 groups (P>0.05). The main thoracic curve Cobb angle, proximal thoracic curve Cobb angle, thoracolumbar/lumbar curve Cobb angle, apical vertebral translation (AVT), clavicle angle (CA), RSH, coronal trunk shift, sagittal trunk shift, thoracic kyphosis (TK), and lumbar lordosis (LL) were measured by X-ray film before operation, and at 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years after operation. The correction indexes of main thoracic curve were evaluated, including the correction degree and correction rate of main thoracic curve and AVT correction at 1 month after operation, the loss degree and the loss rate of the correction of main thoracic curve at 2 years after operation.ResultsThe operation time and intraoperation blood loss in group A were significantly greater than those in group B (P<0.05). All the patients were followed up, and the follow-up time was 2-4 years (mean, 2.8 years) in group A and 2-3.5 years (mean, 2.6 years) in group B. No serious complication such as nerve damage occurred during perioperative period and follow-up period. No complication such as failure of fusion, loosening and rupture of internal fixator, adjacent segment degeneration, and proximal junctional kyphosis occurred. There was no significant difference between 2 groups in the correction degree and correction rate of main thoracic curve and AVT correction at 1 month after operation, the loss degree and the loss rate of the correction of main thoracic curve at 2 years after operation (P>0.05). Comparison within the two groups: except for LL had no significant difference between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05), the other indicators were significantly improved after operation (P<0.05) in the two groups. There were significant differences in RSH, CA, proximal thoracic curve Cobb angle, and thoracolumbar/lumbar curve Cobb angle at each time point after operation (P<0.05), and there were spontaneous correction during follow-up; however, there was no significant difference in main thoracic curve Cobb angle, AVT, TK, LL, trunk shift at each time point after operation (P>0.05), and there was no significant loss during follow-up. Comparison between the two groups: there was no significant difference in all the radiographic indexes at pre- and post-operation (P>0.05).ConclusionFor Lenke type 1 AIS patients with preoperative right high shoulder, proximal fixation vertebra be fixed to the upper end vertebral can obtain satisfactory short-term orthopedic effectiveness and reduce blood loss and operation time.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of a new rehabilitation intervention model based on International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Healthy (ICF) concept in perioperative treatment on patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).MethodsFrom June 2017 to January 2019, AIS patients with Cobb angle below 80° were randomly divided into experimental group and control group by the method of randomized block design. The patients in the control group received routine perioperative rehabilitation intervention, while the patients in the experimental group received rehabilitation mode intervention based on ICF concept. The therapeutic effect of the two groups including functional and activity dimensions was observed.ResultsA total of 40 patients were included, with 20 in each group. Two patients withdrew the control group. On the fourth day after surgery, the total score of Modified Barthel Index (50.55±8.87 vs. 18.99±5.63; t=13.264, P<0.001) and Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) (3.68±0.13 vs. 3.27±0.11; t=10.355, P<0.001) in the experimental group were all better than those in the control group. In the SRS-22 scores, statistically significant differences in comparison of function (2.79±0.29 vs. 1.90±0.48; t=6.884, P<0.001), and self image (3.91±0.27 vs. 3.38±0.32; t=5.539, P<0.001) between the two groups were found. There was no statistically significant difference in pain indicators and muscle strength between the two groups in the two postoperative evaluations (P>0.05). ConclusionsThe treatment based on the concept of ICF can improve the daily living ability in the short term with the safe and acceptable premise. The concept of stimulating patient autonomy, improving patient independence, and promoting social treatment, may improve the overall state of the patients.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis refers to a three-dimensional spinal deformity or structural change that occurs in adolescence. The rotation of the vertebral body is greater than or equal to 10°. In order to avoid affecting the physical and mental health of patients, appropriate intervention and treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis should be carried out as soon as possible. Based on the summary of non-surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at home and abroad, this paper systematically introduces the mainstream early non-surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, including observation and follow-up, electrical stimulation therapy, Chinese traditional chiropractic techniques, massage and manual reduction, functional training and exercise therapy, traction therapy and brace therapy, in order to provide a reference for the possible treatment research direction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in the future.
ObjectiveTo develop a smart orthosis personalized management system for the treatment of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency through clinical preliminary applications.MethodsThe smart orthosis personalized management system consists of a wireless force monitor, a WeChat Mini Program, a cloud-based storage system, and a website backstage management system. Twenty-two patients with AIS who underwent orthosis treatment and met the selection criteria between March 2020 and December 2020 were enrolled. The follow-up time was 4 months. The parameters used to evaluate patients’ compliance were as follows (back and lumbar): baseline force value, measured force value, force compliance (measured force value/baseline force value×100%), measured wearing time (wearing time of force value was more than 0 N), and time compliance (measured wearing time/prescribed wearing time×100%), in which the prescribed wearing time was 23 hours/day. The baseline force values were measured at initiation, while the measured force value, measured wearing time, force compliance, and time compliance were measured during follow-up. The differences of these parameters between back and lumbar, and the differences among these parameters at 1, 2, 3, and 4 months after orthosis wearing were analyzed.ResultsThe average measured force value of 22 patients (back and lumbar) was (0.83±0.34) N, the average force compliance was 68.5%±17.9%, the average measured wearing time was (15.4±1.7) hours, and the average time compliance was 66.9%±7.7%. The baseline force value and measured force value of back were significantly higher than those of lumbar (P<0.05); the measured wearing time, force compliance, and time compliance between back and lumbar showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The measured force value, measured wearing time, force compliance, and time compliance at 1 month after wearing were significantly lower than those at 2, 3, and 4 months after orthosis wearing (P<0.05), no significant difference was found among 2, 3, and 4 months after orthosis wearing (P>0.05). At different time points after wearing, the measured force value of back were significantly higher than that of lumbar (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between back and lumbar on the other parameters (P>0.05).ConclusionThe smart orthosis personalized management system has high feasibility to treat AIS, and can improve the compliance of such patients with orthosis wearing.
Objective To investigate the safety and accuracy of robot-assisted pedicle screw implantation in the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery. Methods The clinical data of 46 patients with AIS who were treated with orthopedics, bone graft fusion, and internal fixation via posterior approach between June 2018 and December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 22 cases were treated with robot-assisted pedicle screw implantation (robot group) and 24 cases with manual pedicle screw implantation without robot assistance (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, Lenke classification, and preoperative Cobb angle of the main curve, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score between the two groups (P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss, pedicle screw implantation time, intraoperative pedicle screw adjustment times, and VAS and JOA scores after operation were recorded. The Cobb angle of the main curve was measured on X-ray film and the spinal correction rate was calculated. The screw position and the accuracy of screw implantation were evaluated on CT images. Results The operation completed successfully in the two groups. The intraoperative blood loss, pedicle screw implantation time, and pedicle screw adjustment times in the robot group were significantly less than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was 1 case of poor wound healing in the robot group and 2 cases of mild nerve root injury and 2 cases of poor incision healing in the control group, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P=0.667). All patients in the two groups were followed up 3-9 months (mean, 6.4 months). The VAS and JOA scores at last follow-up in the two groups were superior to those before operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the difference of pre- and post-operative scores between the two groups (P>0.05). The imaging review showed that 343 screws were implanted in the robot group and 374 screws in the control group. There were significant differences in pedicle screw implantation classification and accuracy between the two groups (89.5% vs 79.1%)(Z=−3.964, P=0.000; χ2=14.361, P=0.000). At last follow-up, the Cobb angles of the main curve in the two groups were significantly lower than those before operation (P<0.05), and there was significant difference in the difference of pre- and post-operative Cobb angles between the two groups (t=0.999, P=0.323). The spinal correction rateswere 79.82%±5.33% in the robot group and 79.62%±5.58% in the control group, showing no significant difference (t=0.120, P=0.905). Conclusion Compared with manual pedicle screw implantation, robot-assisted pedicle screw implantation in AIS surgery is safer, less invasive, and more accurate.