Spinal deformities

Abstract

The spine is normally straight in the frontal (coronal) plane. If it is not, a lateral curvature or scoliosis is present. Scolioses are subdivided into structural and non-structural, according to whether the spine is additionally twisted [1]. Thus structural scoliosis is defined as a lateral curvature with rotation. The important attribute of a structural scoliosis is that it is intrinsic to the spine and may progress with growth to produce a serious deformity that may threaten health and quality of life. By contrast, non-structural curves are secondary to some other factors such as leg length inequality or muscle spasm from a painful focus (e.g., disc prolapse, infection, tumor). Significant progression is seen only occasionally in some curves associated with spinal cord tumor. Other non-structural curves tend to resolve when the underlying problem is dealt with. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2010.