Scoliosis Overview - Concepedia

Principles

Definition

Scoliosis is a significant academic concept and research domain within medical and biomechanical disciplines. It encompasses the investigation of the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, classification, natural history, and therapeutic management of complex three-dimensional spinal deformities characterized by lateral curvature and vertebral rotation.

Ontological type

Etiological Factors

Surgical Techniques

Conservative Management

Key developments

Key Figures

Selective Fusion Paradigm era

David S. Bradford[1] is a central figure of this era, with affiliations at University of California, San Francisco[3] and University of Minnesota[4]. His key contribution lies in the 1983 paper The selection of fusion levels in thoracic idiopathic scoliosis[6], which articulated criteria for selective fusion to preserve motion and balance deformity, shaping early adoption of motion-preserving strategies in the era. Robert B. Winter[2] is a central figure of this era, with affiliations at University of Colorado Boulder[5] and University of Minnesota[4]. Like Bradford, Winter contributed to the same 1983 fusion-level work through this paper[6], reinforcing the selective fusion paradigm and helping to standardize indications for fusion levels that balanced deformity correction with preserved motion.

Alignment-Focused Surgical Optimization era

John M. Flynn[1] is associated with Harvard University[3] and the University of Pennsylvania[4] during the Alignment-Focused Surgical Optimization era. His 2007 paper, 'Neurophysiological Detection of Impending Spinal Cord Injury During Scoliosis Surgery'[6], introduced intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring that reduced neurological risk and supported more reliable sagittal alignment corrections. John P. Dormans[2] is associated with Harvard University[3] and Baylor College of Medicine[5] during this era. Dormans' work on the same neurophysiological detection theme, through the 2007 paper[6], reinforced safety-centered alignment strategies, enabling standardized monitoring protocols and more confident corrective maneuvers.

Growth-Preserving Tethering era

Representative authors for growth-preserving scoliosis treatment during 2020–2022 include Khalil Akbarnia, Frederic Miyanji, and Kulwant Mulpuri, whose work reflects the shift toward tethering as a growth-friendly alternative. Akbarnia helped popularize vertebral body tethering, articulating patient selection criteria and coalescing registries to document growth accommodation and early outcomes. Miyanji contributed to technique refinements and expanded indications by reporting outcomes across a broader age range and curve patterns. Mulpuri advanced patient-centered care by integrating shared decision-making, risk communication, and patient-reported outcomes to guide counseling and therapeutic pathways.