TITLE:
Radiographic, Pain, and Functional Outcomes in an Adult Post-Fusion Patient Using a Scoliosis Activity Suit: Comparative Results after 8 Months
AUTHORS:
Mark W. Morningstar, Brian Dovorany, Clayton J. Stitzel, Aatif Siddiqui
KEYWORDS:
Chiropractic, Pain, Rehabilitation, Scoliosis, Spine
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Clinical Medicine,
Vol.7 No.4,
April
28,
2016
ABSTRACT: There are few conservative treatment options for adult patients with
idiopathic scoliosis who are status post-fusion surgery. These typically
include pharmacologic pain management, epidural injections, and generalized CAM
treatments such as massage and chiropractic manipulation in the non-fused areas
of the spine. The purpose of this study was to compare the post-treatment
results in an adult post-fusion patient who wore a scoliosis activity suit for
8 months. Pain was evaluated using a quadruple visual analog scale (QVAS),
while function was measured using an SRS-22r questionnaire. After 8 months of
wearing the scoliosis activity suit, her pain scores improved, here SRS-22r
improved, and a significant correction in radiographic Cobb angle was observed.
This case report is the first to document a Cobb angle change in an adult
patient wearing a scoliosis activity suit who is status post-fusion. Given that
pain and dysfunction are primary reasons for scoliosis treatment in the adult
population, more studies need to address the disparity between available
treatments for adult scoliosis and the incidence of adult scoliosis, especially
in the post-meno-pausal population. Future prospective studies should consider
evaluating treatment effects of this suit using intent-to-treat methodology.