Date of Award
Spring 2022
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Erin Wolf
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
Objectives: An in-depth analysis of multiple research articles examining the findings about patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and what their lifelong pain is like with different therapies. The goal is to discuss the long-term outcomes of conservative measures, like bracing/physical therapy exercises, versus invasive interventions like surgery. The patient’s mental health and overall quality of life will also be discussed. These findings will be available for utilization in everyday practice by healthcare professionals.
Methods: The PubMed database was used to search for published studies defining and describing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, its current treatment options, and long-term treatment outcomes for AIS patients. Articles selected focused on patients treated as adolescents who were followed into adulthood. Articles on scoliosis with pathological causes were excluded.
Results: This review showed that the lifelong pain severity outcome correlates more with the degree of curve in scoliosis than the treatment. When conservative treatments like bracing/PT versus surgery are indicated, it follows guidelines on the degree of curve severity. If a curve is measured >20 degrees, bracing is indicated. If a curve is >50 degrees, surgery is indicated. Pain is minimal in both groups, with some patients in conservative treatment experiencing slightly more pain than in surgical treatment throughout their life. Lastly, it was found that no treatment and treatment with bracing has a bigger impact on the patient’s self image/their mental health than surgical treatment.
Conclusion: This article compares the effects conservative treatments have on lifelong pain thresholds and quality of life compared to surgical treatment in patients who were diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. There is evidence to suggest initial conservative treatment can be adequate to control pain levels in patients depending on their lumbar/thoracic curve size, but once the curve progresses past a certain point, surgery is indicated. Bracing also has a negative impact on the patient’s self-image.
Recommended Citation
Pombrio, Rachel, "Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Lifetime Pain and Quality of Life Analysis After Treatment" (2022). Capstone Showcase. 4.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2022/pa/4
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Lifetime Pain and Quality of Life Analysis After Treatment
ABSTRACT:
Objectives: An in-depth analysis of multiple research articles examining the findings about patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and what their lifelong pain is like with different therapies. The goal is to discuss the long-term outcomes of conservative measures, like bracing/physical therapy exercises, versus invasive interventions like surgery. The patient’s mental health and overall quality of life will also be discussed. These findings will be available for utilization in everyday practice by healthcare professionals.
Methods: The PubMed database was used to search for published studies defining and describing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, its current treatment options, and long-term treatment outcomes for AIS patients. Articles selected focused on patients treated as adolescents who were followed into adulthood. Articles on scoliosis with pathological causes were excluded.
Results: This review showed that the lifelong pain severity outcome correlates more with the degree of curve in scoliosis than the treatment. When conservative treatments like bracing/PT versus surgery are indicated, it follows guidelines on the degree of curve severity. If a curve is measured >20 degrees, bracing is indicated. If a curve is >50 degrees, surgery is indicated. Pain is minimal in both groups, with some patients in conservative treatment experiencing slightly more pain than in surgical treatment throughout their life. Lastly, it was found that no treatment and treatment with bracing has a bigger impact on the patient’s self image/their mental health than surgical treatment.
Conclusion: This article compares the effects conservative treatments have on lifelong pain thresholds and quality of life compared to surgical treatment in patients who were diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. There is evidence to suggest initial conservative treatment can be adequate to control pain levels in patients depending on their lumbar/thoracic curve size, but once the curve progresses past a certain point, surgery is indicated. Bracing also has a negative impact on the patient’s self-image.