What is the influence of surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis on postural control?

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of surgical treatment on the control of upright balance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods: Thirty adolescents were divided into two groups: Group C (n = 15) consisted of individuals without scoliosis (control), and Group S (n = 15) consisted of individuals with scoliosis. The mean amplitude and velocity of the center of pressure (COP) evaluations in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions were obtained before surgery and at 7, 30, 60 and 90-days after surgery, in an upright position, using a force platform. Results: Group S showed larger oscillation than Group C before surgery. The COP oscillation in Group S after surgery was larger than that in the pre-surgery period. The oscillation diminished over the post-surgery period, but individuals in the 90-day post-surgery period still had larger oscillation compared with the oscillation in the pre-surgery period. Conclusion: Group S had larger AP and ML mean amplitude and mean velocity before and after surgery compared with Group C, which suggests that a sensorimotor impairment or sensory integration problem could explain the balance control alterations more than biomechanical factors in the AIS. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.