Scoliosis and spondylolisthesis: literature review

Abstract

At present, there are no reliable prognostic factors indicating the progressive nature of spondylolisthesis in children and adolescents. Often the main complaint is a pain syndrome, which is well arrested by conservative therapy, while the quality of life of patients without surgery is not significantly impaired. The presented review of the literature shows that it is better to correct scoliotic deformity at a younger age when indications arise. Isth- mic spondylolisthesis and scoliosis should be considered as different pathologies. In the absence of convincing evidence that spondylolisthesis has caused the scoliosis development, indications for surgical treatment should be considered as those for individual pathologies. Isolated correction of scoliotic deformity does not lead to a progression of scoliosis. Papers of Russian and foreign authors from e-Library, Medline and PubMed data- bases were reviewed. The evidence level in majority of papers is III(C), and in part of papers – II(B).

Keywords

• spondylolisthesis
• scoliosis
• correction of spinal deformity