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.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 4 March 1999 Revised: 27 January 2000 Accepted: 4 February 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
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
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s005860000142