RESULTS:: There were 8 patients with idiopathic scoliosis, 6 patients with neuromuscular scoliosis, 5 patients with syndromic scoliosis, and 1 patient with skeletal dysplasia. Fifteen patients were female and 5 were male. The mean age at first cast was 3.8±2.3 years (range, 1 to 8 y), and the mean major curve magnitude was 74±18 degrees (range, 40 to 118 degrees). After initial cast application, the major curve measured 46±14 degrees (range, 25 to 79 degrees). At treatment change or latest follow-up for those still in casts, the major curve measured 53±24 degrees (range, 13 to 112 degrees). The mean time in casts was 16.9±9.1 months (range, 4 to 35 mo). The mean number of casts per patient was 4.7±2.2 casts (range, 1 to 9 casts). At the time of this study, 7 patients had undergone growing rod surgery, 6 patients were still undergoing casting, 5 returned to bracing, and 2 have been lost to follow-up. Four patients had minor complications: 2 patients each with superficial skin irritation and cast intolerance.
CONCLUSIONS:: Serial Risser casting is a safe and effective intermediate treatment for EOS. It can stabilize relatively large curves in young children and allows the child to reach a more suitable age for other forms of treatment, such as growing rods.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Level IV; case series.
PMID: 23965912 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Read more... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23965912?dopt=Abstract
