Rehabilitation in adult spinal deformity
Özden Özyemişci Taşkıran 1
1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
DOI :
10.5606/tftrd.2020.6225
Adult spinal deformity causes significant health-related problems such as pain and disability in adults. Currently, there are several
non-operative management strategies such as pain medications, physical modalities, exercises, bracing or interventional procedures. Specific
exercises including strengthening of back and abdominal muscles, neuromuscular re-education for daily tasks, and active self-correction
are vital to improve postural control and spinal stability. Bracing for a few hours a day can help reduce pain and provide spinal stability in
adults. In case of severe disability and pain unresponsive to non-operative treatments, spinal fusion with instrumentation is an alternative.
Postoperative rehabilitation can help to reduce pain and disability and improve return to activity or work. Protecting the spine early after
surgery and timing of initiation of exercises with respect to osseointegration and bone remodeling phases are important principles of
postoperative rehabilitation. In this review, rehabilitation in adult spinal deformity is discussed in the light of the literature.
Keywords :
Adult spinal deformity, bracing, degenerative scoliosis, exercise, rehabilitation, spinal fusion
