Objectives: Determine the relationship between the importance of spine deformity and postural control efficiency in mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
Introduction: AIS is related to postural control disorders where vision, proprioception and vestibule could be involved. The aim of the study was to investigate the postural control of early-detected AIS, of which the Cobb angle is still low, evaluating whether the amplitude spine deformation is an important balance destabilization parameter.
Material & Methods: 71 patients with AIS (mean age: 11.5 ± 2.0 years) were submitted at time of diagnosis to clinical and radiological assessments and to posturographic evaluation including static with and without sensory conflict and dynamic tests. Two groups were constituted according to mean Cobb angle value of the primary curve of the whole population.
Results: Mean Cobb angle being 14.6 ± 5.4°, 41 patients with AIS presented a Cobb angle comprised between 5 to 14° (Group I) and 30 patients presented a Cobb angle comprised between 15 to 25° (Group II). The latter displayed higher body sways in static tests (eyes open and eyes closed conditions) and higher lateral oscillations only in eyes closed condition. In sensory organization test, Group II patients displayed a weaker balance control mainly in visual and somatosensory conflicting conditions despite no significant difference in vestibular utilization. Moreover, Group II patients used less anticipatory strategies to stabilize body oscillations, especially in the more challenging sensory conflicting and dynamic situations.
Conclusions: Patients with a Cobb angle greater or equal to 15° displayed lesser postural performances, especially in sensory conflicting situations.
Significance: Posturographic tests represents an accurate tool to assess postural control in AIS even at the onset of their evolution.