Predictors of Flexibility and Pain Patterns in Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract

We have shown that curve magnitude and patient age are the main predictors of structural flexibility. Every 10 degrees increase in curve magnitude over 40 degrees results in a 10% decrease in flexibility; every 10-year increase in age decreases flexibility of the structural curve by 5% and the lumbosacral fractional curve by 10%. Curve magnitude and age of the patients are significant predictors of curve flexibility. The demonstration of this association offers useful information in estimating how surgical options for deformity correction may change over time.