Pelvic Morphology, Body Posture and Standing Balance Characteristics of Adolescent Able-Bodied and Idiopathic Scoliosis Girls

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine how pelvic morphology, body posture, and standing balance variables of scoliotic girls differ from those of able-bodied girls, and to classify neuro-biomechanical variables in terms of a lower number of unobserved variables. Twenty-eight scoliotic and twenty-five non-scoliotic able-bodied girls participated in this study. 3D coordinates of ten anatomic body landmarks were used to describe pelvic morphology and trunk posture using a Flock of Birds system. Standing balance was measured using a force plate to identify the center of pressure (COP), and its anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) displacements. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed to determine differences between the two groups. A factor analysis was used to identify factors that best describe both groups. Statistical differences were identified between the groups for each of the parameter types. While spatial orientation of the pelvis was similar in both groups, five of the eight trunk postural variables of the scoliotic group were significantly different that the able-bodied group. Also, five out of the seven standing balance variables were higher in the scoliotic girls. Approximately 60% of the variation is supported by 4 factors that can be associated with a set of variables; standing balance variables (factor 1), body posture variables (factor 2), and pelvic morphology variables (factors 3 and 4). Pelvic distortion, body posture asymmetry, and standing imbalance are more pronounced in scoliotic girls, when compared to able-bodied girls. These findings may be beneficial when addressing balance and ankle proprioception exercises for the scoliotic population.

Three-dimensional vertebral wedging and pelvic asymmetries in the early stages of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

“…They concluded that differences in initial pelvic alignment and pelvic motion are dependent on the level of the spinal deformity. Furthermore, pelvic distortion is well correlated with Cobb angle progression [33] in moderate untreated scoliosis. However, these studies made use of skin surface markers, and measurements were taken at a set instance as in any crosssectional study.…”

“…This statistical analysis method was previously used as a classification and data structure detection technique to identify the role of pelvic morphology, posture, and standing balance in moderate and severe scoliosis before bracing [33]. This is achieved by extracting the maximum variance from the data by means of orthogonal components called PCs.…”

“…Mac-Thiong et al [52] reported a strong spine and pelvic interactions in severe AIS, whereas Legaye et al [53] noted similar findings in scoliotic adults. Dalleau et al [49] and Stylianides et al [33] both suggest that pelvic morphology, trunk posture, and standing imbalance are all related to the Cobb angle in moderate-to-severe untreated AIS. In this study, the relationship between vertebral wedging and pelvic asymmetry was shown to change as the spinal deformity increased.…”

Neuromuscular performance of balance and posture control in childhood and adolescence

“…For adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, Nault et al. (2002) and Stylianides et al. (2013) found that standing imbalance was related to altered body posture parameters.…”

Bestimmung einer Beckenasymmetrie – Sinn oder Unsinn

“…Das Ausmaß wurde hier mit dem "sacro-femoropubic angel" bestimmt [1]. Die Beckenmorphologie bei Jugendlichen mit idiopathischer Skoliose in der frühen Adoleszenz zeigt deutliche Unterschiede zu Jugendlichen ohne Skoliose [18]. In ihrer anatomischen Studie untersuchten Boulay et al [19]…”