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conservative treatment

The Role of Screening and Brace Management for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Teaser: 

Kedar Padhye, MBBS, DNB (Ortho), 1Reza Ojaghi, MD, 2Fábio Ferri-de-Barros, MD, MSc, FSBOT, FSBOP (Hon.), FRCSC, FCS(ECSA),3

1 Clinical Fellow (Pediatric Spine Surgery)Division of Paediatric Surgery, Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
2Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, Department of Orthopedics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario.
3 Department of Orthopedics, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is defined as curvature of spine in the coronal plane with a Cobb angle of more than 10°. AIS affects 1-3% of children younger than 16 years of age. Less than 20% of those children will progress to severe deformity requiring interventions. Screening with clinical examination and selective radiographic assessment seems to be a cost-effective approach to filter specialist referrals but current literature is controversial. Evidence supports brace management of AIS for skeletally immature patients with primary scoliosis measuring 25°–40. The risk reduction for progression to the surgical range (deformity greater than 50 degrees) is 56%. Timely diagnosis and evidence-based brace management of AIS seem likely to reduce the surgical burden. The implementation of screening guidelines at the primary care level is a critical step.
Key Words: scoliosis; idiopathic; Brace treatment; conservative treatment; screening.

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim MAINPRO-M2 Credits for this unaccredited educational program.

www.cfpc.ca/Mainpro_M2

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Pre-test CME Quiz Post-test CME Quiz
Bracing is an effective but time sensitive intervention for managing AIS in skeletally immature patients with primary scoliosis measuring 25 to 40 degrees.
Clinical screening is required to identify AIS patients who eligible for bracing.
Improving access to bracing for eligible patients requires a collaborative approach involving primary care physicians and specialists.
1. A systematic collaborative approach involving primary care physicians for screening patients and referring to tertiary care ensures timely assessment and management for eligible patients.
2. Evidence supports brace management of AIS for skeletally immature patients with primary scoliosisl measuring 25°–40°, with the goal of preventing deformity progression to the surgical threshold.
3. A full time (18-23h/day) rigid brace treatment may mitigate the surgical burden of AIS by approximately 30%.
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Related Terms: Back Health, Scoliosis, idiopathic, Brace treatment, conservative treatment, screening
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Cervical Radiculopathy: Diagnosis and Management

Teaser: 

Heidi Godbout, MD,1 Sean Christie, MD, FRCSC,2

1Dalhousie University, Dept. Surgery (Neurosurgery), Dept. Medical Neurosciences.
2Associate Professor, Dalhousie University, Dept. Surgery (Neurosurgery).

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: Neck and arm pain are common reasons to seek medical attention, especially in the working population. However, there are several diagnostic pitfalls that must be avoided. Appropriate, conservative management will lead to improvement in a significant number of patients. Knowing when to refer a patient as well as what imaging modalities are indicated is crucial to managing cervical radiculopathy in the primary care setting. The purpose of this review is to help primary care physicians diagnose, investigate and treat cervical radiculopathy and to know when a surgical referral is appropriate.
Key Words: Cervical radiculopathy, neurological exam, imaging, conservative treatment, surgery.

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim MAINPRO-M2 Credits for this unaccredited educational program.

www.cfpc.ca/Mainpro_M2

You can take quizzes without subscribing; however, your results will not be stored. Subscribers will have access to their quiz results for future reference.

Pre-test CME Quiz Post-test CME Quiz
1. Cervical pain is a common clinical problem; pure cervical radiculopathy is much less frequent.
2. The natural history of cervical radiculopathy is favorable; most patients improve within 3 months.
3. Imaging is only required if there are indications of sinister, non-mechanical pathology or when surgery is being contemplated.
4. Surgery produces beneficial results in 85-90% of cases.
1. A well-constructed musculoskeletal and neurological history and physical examination can distinguish between mechanical neck pain, cervical radiculopathy, cervical myelopathy or shoulder pathology.
2. C5-6 and C6-7 are the most common levels affected.
3. C6 radiculopathy leads to numbness in the thumb and weakness in wrist extension.
4. C7 radiculopathy leads to numbness in the middle finger and triceps weakness.
5. Spurling's manoeuver can be used to reproduce radicular symptoms. It should not be used when myelopathy is suspected.
To have access to full article that these tools were developed for, please subscribe. The cost to subscribe is $80 USD per year and you will gain full access to all the premium content on www.healthplexus.net, an educational portal, that hosts 1000s of clinical reviews, case studies, educational visual aids and more as well as within the mobile app.
Related Terms: Back Health, cervical radiculopathy, neurological exam, imaging, conservative treatment, surgery