Is scoliosis a source of pain?

4Citations
Citations of this article
12Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Purpose: Pain in scoliosis is definitely a hot topic with growing popularity. The literature remains very controversial, with a pain prevalence ranging from 23% to 90%, but this can be explained by the great heterogeneity of the numerous series. The aim of this review was to report results from the literature regarding pain in relation to scoliosis regardless of the etiology. Methods: A bibliographic search in Medline and Google database from 2003 to March 2023 was performed. Relevant literature was analyzed, summarized, and discussed based on authors’ experience. A 1-year prospective series of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients was also included to compare with the existing literature. Results: A total of 126 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients were included, with a mean preoperative Cobb angle of 64.5° (range, 45°–112°). Reported pain prevalence was 34.1%. Pain and no-pain groups were very different in their self-reported experience, with a very low mean visual analogue scale score of 0.5 (± 0.6) in the no pain group, while visual analogue scale averaged 5.6 (± 1.2) in the pain group (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between groups regarding the most relevant demographic and radiological parameters. Conclusion: Evidence-based literature on “scoliosis as a source of pain” remains ambiguous. There seems to be a consensus on the lack of direct relationship between deformity magnitude and back pain intensity. A comprehensive evaluation of the patient is therefore necessary before any treatment, including medical history, clinical examination, and relevant imaging for any child with scoliosis and back pain. Level of evidence: Level VI.

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Ilharreborde, B., Simon, A. L., Shadi, M., & Kotwicki, T. (2023, December 1). Is scoliosis a source of pain? Journal of Children’s Orthopaedics. British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1177/18632521231215861

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 2

100%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Medicine and Dentistry 1

33%

Nursing and Health Professions 1

33%

Environmental Science 1

33%

Article Metrics

Tooltip
Mentions
News Mentions: 1

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free