Conservative Treatment in Adult Degenerative Scoliosis: a Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) is a coronal deviation of the spine greater than 10° resulting from the progressive degeneration of the vertebral elements in middle age, which is a three-dimensional deformity. In this study, the effect of conservative treatment methods on pain, disability, and quality of life of patients with ADS was evaluated.Methods: Thirty females with ADS were included in the present study. Demographic characteristics, Cobb angles, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Short and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaires (RMDQ) were noted. Fifteen sessions of physical therapy (hotpack, TENS and ultrasound) and exercises were administered to all patients. All assessment scales were used for evaluation at baseline as well as one month and three months after treatment.Results: Visual Analog Scale scores statistically differed between the first, second and third measurements (p<0,001). There was a significantly improvement in RMDQ between periods of time (p<0,001). While the second assessment was significantly lower than the first measure (p=0,001), there was no difference between the third and second measures (p=0,496). Similarly, quality of life assessments significantly differed between the first and second assessments and continued at the third assessment.Conclusions: Given the difficulties of surgical treatment and patients' comorbidities, conservative treatment methods are becoming important for ADS. Non-surgical treatments for ADS should be taken into consideration to improve pain, disability and quality of life outcomes.