Corrective exercises specific for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis presented with bilateral leg pain: a case report describing an adaptive program and the recorded improvement as expressed by Cobb angle

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is considered as the most common type of scoliosis. A 13-year-old female complained of bilateral leg pain, left > right, and severe headache. She was referred to an orthopaedic physical therapy clinic. Spinal X-ray revealed right thoracolumbar scoliosis with Cobb angle of about 48°. The primary curve was in the lumbar vertebrae, directed to the left, and the secondary curve was in the thoracic vertebrae, directed to the right. Two surgeons recommended corrective surgery, while one recommended physiotherapy for 6 months. The third surgical opinion was based on magnetic resonance imaging that presented normal cervical spine, mild scoliotic deformity of lower dorsal vertebrae with right-sided convexity and of lumbar vertebrae with left-sided convexity, L4–5 broad based posterior and left posterolateral disc protrusion, and L5–S1 mild central posterior disc protrusion. At the final evaluation after 18 months of a corrective exercise program, the patient reported no symptoms at rest or with exercises. The improvement was evidenced by Cobb angle change from 48° to 21°, pelvic shift, and general spinal flexibility and strength. The current case report describes a specific corrective exercise protocol adapted to a case of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis that presented with bilateral leg pain.

Keywords

• adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
• specific exercise
• correction
• physical therapy
• cobb angle