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The aetiology of idiopathic scoliosis: biomechanical and neuromuscular factors

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Abstract

The aetiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) remains an enigma. In the literature there are two opinions: one believes a deviating growth pattern is responsible for the condition – patients with AIS tend to be growing faster/be taller – while the other opinion assumes that the growth pattern is normal, but its presence is necessary to allow the development of the scoliosis. We discuss the two stage hypothesis: the natural history of AIS involves an initial stage in which a small curve develops due to a small defect in the neuromuscular control system and a second stage during adolescent growth in which the scoliotic curve is exacerbated by biomechanical factors.

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Received: 4 March 1999 Revised: 27 January 2000 Accepted: 4 February 2000

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Veldhuizen, A., Wever, D. & Webb, P. The aetiology of idiopathic scoliosis: biomechanical and neuromuscular factors. E Spine J 9, 178–184 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s005860000142

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s005860000142

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