Our retrospective study compared vitamin-D levels in 229 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and 389 age-matched controls, and evaluated the correlation between vitamin-D levels and sex, Cobb's angle, and serum levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase in the AIS group. Vitamin-D levels were lower in the AIS group, with no sex-specific effects, indicative of a possible vitamin-D resistance in AIS. Vitamin-D levels correlated positively with Ca levels and negatively with Cobb's angle, indicative of a possible role of vitamin D in the etiopathogenesis of AIS. Patients with AIS should be monitored for vitamin-D deficiency/insufficiency.

The plantar fascia thickness of adults without heel pain was measured to be less than 4 mm in most participants (~92%). There was no statistically significant difference between the thickness of the right and left foot plantar fascia.

Purpose There exist not much data regarding the surgical treatment of pure congenital kyphosis (CK) in the literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of closing wedge osteotomy with posterior instrumented fusion in patients with congenital kyphotic deformity. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the radiographical results of 10 patients who were subject to closing wedge vertebral osteotomy and posterior instrumented fusion due to CK. The mean age of the patients at surgery was 12.6 ± 3.72 years (range 8-18 years). Radiographical measurements including local kyphosis, correction loss, global kyphosis and sagittal balance values were noted for the preoperative, postoperative and final follow up periods, respectively. The data obtained from those periods underwent statistical analysis. Results Average follow-up period was 51.8 ± 29.32 months (range 26-96 months). The mean local kyphosis angle was 67.7°± 15.64°(range 42°-88°) prior to the surgery, 31.5°± 17.12 (range 14°-73°) following the surgery and 31.9°± 15.98°(range 14°-71°) during the follow up-period, respectively (p \ 0.05). A correction rate of 53.5 % was reported at the final follow up. Average sagittal balance was measured as 33.1 ± 24.48 mm (range 2-77 mm) prior to the surgery, 20.8 ± 15.46 mm (range 5-46 mm) following the surgery (p \ 0.05) and 14.1 ± 9.2 mm (range 0-30 mm) during follow-up period (p [ 0.05).

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