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IntroductionRecently the EOS imaging system (EOS Imaging, Paris, France) has provided advancements in 3D spinal modeling. Advancements include low radiation as well as fast and accurate reconstructed measurements of spinal parameters. There is a paucity of studies analyzing the reproducibility of the EOS Imaging System and the sterEOS software in the production of 3D spinal models for children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Objectives The purposes of the study were 1) to determine the intraclass correlation (ICC) for both the inter-observer and intra-observer in the measurements of Cobb angles in AP view as well as the Cobb angles in the lateral view; 2) to assess the ICC for inter-and intra-observer in the axial vertebral rotation (AVR) of the apex vertebra; 3) to compare differences of spinal parameters between two examiners and two trials; 4) to determine how long a 3D reconstruction of the spine takes. Methods Bilateral x-ray images of fifteen patients (age: 6 -15 years old, 5 males, 10 females) were retrospectively selected. These EOS images were uploaded into the sterEOS computer program. Within the software, spinal and pelvic parameters were identified manually to construct a 3D model of the spine. The sterEOS software calculates the Cobb angles, angles of lordosis, angles of kyphosis, and the AVRs of the apex vertebra. The 3D modeling was performed independently by two examiners. Each examiner modeled each patient's spine in two spaced out trials. The ICC between inter-and intra-observers were calculated and compared statistically. Results and discussionBoth the inter-and intra-observers showed excellent reproducibility for the Cobb angles in the proximal segment (ICC: 0.72 -0.91), kyphosis (ICC: 0.85-0.92), and lordosis (ICC: 0.82 -0.95). No significant differences were found between angle differences (0.35°to 2.4°). In contrast to the traditional radiography, the sterEOS provides a better high quality view within the sagittal plane. A moderate inter-observer ICC for the Cobb angle in the distal segment (ICC = 0.67) indicates the examiners have to carefully adjust the alignment and vertebrae in 3D rather than in 2D following the automatic computation from the EOS software. The interobserver ICC for the AVR in the lumbar region (0.80) is higher than the thoracic or thoracolumbar region (0.65), but with high differences of AVR (4.0°-6.3°). The average time that two examiners spent per subject ranged from 34.6 to 37.4 minutes. Conclusion and significance EOS provides significantly reliable and accurate spinal modeling in the measurement of children with AIS. Exposure to less radiation as compared to other radiographic modality allows EOS to offer acceptable quality view of the spine in the sagittal and transversal plane. sagittal balance and predictive equations to determine lumbopelvic compensatory patterns (LPCP). These equations are used to guide surgical decision making and technique selection. Although other lumbopelvic compensation equations are available, these have not been compared wi...

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Background: Physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercise (PSSE) has proven to be an important treatment for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. However, there is a lack of understanding of the role of PSSE in older adults with spinal deformity. Methods: An electronic, 14-question survey with questions regarding the use of physical therapy (PT) and PSSE for adult spinal deformity was administered to all Scoliosis Research Society members. Physician location, age, specialty, years in experience, and management preferences were quantified using descriptive analyses. Results: Of the 98 surgeons who participated in this study, the majority of respondents were from North America (71.1%), and the mean age was 51.87 6 10.93 years; approximately 98% of respondents were orthopedic surgeons, and 48.0% had been in practice for more than 21 years. Sixty-four percent reported they prescribed PT in their practice, with 52% of respondents often using PT as nonoperative treatment; 21.4%, preoperative; and 40.8% postoperative. The primary reason for PT referral was persistent pain (40.3%), followed by impairments to the patient's balance or gait (34.3%) and difficulty with daily living activities (25.4%). The primary indications for not referring postoperative patients to PT were lack of perceived value from PT (50%), lack of evidence supporting the benefits from PT (31.3%), and a lack of physical therapists appropriately trained for scoliosis (18.8%). Of the respondents, 74% were familiar with PSSE and 66% were comfortable prescribing PSSE postoperatively. In addition, 28% of respondents agreed that .12 weeks postoperation was the ideal time for PSSE referral, followed by 6 to 8 weeks postoperation (26.2%) and immediately postoperation (18%). Conclusions: The results show that the majority of respondents prescribed PSSE solely for nonoperative treatment. Respondents who did not prescribe PSSE reported skepticism due to a lack of perceived value. This suggests the need for further research into the benefits of PSSE. Level of Evidence: 5. Clinical Relevance: Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercises (PSSE) is an important non-operative treatment for patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) but is understudied in Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD) patients, suggesting further clinical research. This study demonstrates that only two-thirds of the respondents familiar with PSSE were comfortable prescribing PSSE postoperatively suggesting the need for further research into the effectiveness and benefits of PSSE in ASD patients.

Sagittal alignment has become a hot topic in the world of orthopedics, particularly as it pertains to adults with spine deformities and coexisting pain, activity limitations, and health-related quality of life. It is reported that the prevalence of spinal deformity in the older adult will continue to increase. Clinicians across disciplines recognize the myriad of variation that exists in sagittal alignment, and that there is not one ideal norm to ascribe to. Relatively new to the spine deformity community has been the discovery of the relationship between the pelvis and the femur (pelvic incidence) in dictating lumbar lordosis and overall spinal alignment. While it is acknowledged that variation exists, there is now evidence that there is a limited range within which we can compensate for loss of sagittal alignment and still function well. When compensations run out, the quality of life becomes affected. These alignment variations, compensations, and in some cases, loss of alignment all together have clinical implications for the physiotherapist working with the older adult population. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the current state of evidence-informed knowledge around spinopelvic parameters as they relate to the adult with spine deformity and offer clinical implications for the conservative care practitioner.