M. Smigielska, K. Czernicki, J. Durmala
Abstract
Introduction: Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is referred as a cause of a back pain in adults, probably on the basis of spinal overload and degeneration. Back pain in children and youths has been assessed only occasionally.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of back pain in adolescent with IS.
Material and methods: Poll assessment and medical documentation analysis of 70 patients (65F and 5M) with IS was conducted. Mean age of researched group was 15 years (SD=1.7), mean value of body mass index (BMI) was 18.7 (SD=2.3), mean Cobb angle 26.4° (SD=13.8), apical vertebra rotation (AVR) 13.4° (SD=8.2), thoracic kyphosis 26.1° (SD=12.2) and lumbar lordosis 33° (SD=9.4). Severity of back pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results: Back pain was present in 2/3 of subjects (65.7%). Severity of pain ranged from 1 to 7 points of VAS (mean 3.3, SD=1.6). Pain arose usually in static positions.
Cobb angle correlated positively with severity of pain, reaching level of statistical significance (Pearson's coefficient r=0.24, p<0.05). Weak, statistically insignificant correlation between AVR and pain severity was also observed (r=0.13, p>0.05), as well as between BMI and pain (r=0.2, p>0.05). Thoracic kyphosis (r=-0.2, p>0.05) and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.21, p>0.05) revealed weak, negative, insignificant correlation with intensity of pain.
Conclusions: 1.Back pain occurs commonly in youths with idiopathic scoliosis. 2. Statistically significant relation between severity of back pain and Cobb angle was observed.
Significance: Further evidence of common occurrence of back pain in adolescents with IS.