Rehabilitation of adolescent patients with scoliosis--what do we know? A review of the literature.

Different opinions exist about the efficacy of conservative scoliosis treatment. Because this divergence of opinion corresponds to a great variety of standards applied, it is also not surprising that the results of conservative treatment differ a lot. Scoliosis normally does not have such dramatic effects that immediate surgery would be indicated. Moreover, it is clear that functional and physiological impairments of scoliosis patients--including pain, torso deformity, psychological disturbance and pulmonary dysfunction--require therapeutic intervention. The triad of out-patient physiotherapy, intensive in-patient rehabilitation and bracing has proven effective in conservative scoliosis treatment in central Europe. Indication, content and results of the individual treatment procedures are described and discussed. The positive outcomes of this practice validate a policy of offering conservative treatment as an alternative to scoliosis patients, including those for whom surgery is discussed.