Childhood and Adolescent Scoliosis

“Idiopathic scoliosis” defines a common and potential ly severe musculoskeletal disorder of unknown etiology, the diagnosis and treatment of which have been central in the development of orthopaedic surgery as a specialty. In its milder forms scoliosis may produce only trunk shape change, but when severe, can be markedly disfiguring as well as producing cardiac and pulmonary compromise (Fig. 18-1). The goal of this chapter is to present the key elements in diagnosis, natural history, and treatment of both idiopathic and congenital scoliosis.