Congenital Postural Scoliosis

Abstract

It is suggested that: (1) Under the name of “ idiopathic scoliosis “ two different conditions are being confused, both due to mechanical factors in utero. The one condition is congenital postural scoliosis, which can be diagnosed at the most favourable age only by special investigations. When the condition is diagnosed early correction is easy, but after a certain age it becomes impossible by any methods now known. There is a tendency to spontaneous correction in an uncertain proportion of cases. The other condition is congenital compression scoliosis, -in which the deformity is obvious at birth and correction extremely difficult. There is no tendency to spontaneous correction. (2) It is argued that all babies should be examined at birth for the postural type of scoliosis, and instructions for this are given. (3) A device for correcting the spinal bend is described, and instructions for its use given. © 1965, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.