Spatial orientation and postural regulation in patients with idiopathic scoliosis

Objective: Etiology of idiopathic scoliosis is unknown. In literature a primarily neurogenic disturbance of postural regulation is discussed with subsequent changes of the spine. In the present paper, individual functions of postural regulation in patients with idiopathic scoliosis were examined by neurophysiologic investigations and compared to a normal population.

Methods: The body sway of 28 patients was investigated in upright position under various testing conditions by means of a force measuring platform, allowing examination of the efferent part of postural regulation as well as the sensory systems involved. Registration of the eye movements (ENG) made it possible to investigate the function of the vestibulo-cerebellar system. Furthermore the optokinetic capability of scoliotic patients was tested by determination of the subjective visual vertical (SVV).

Results: It turned out that none of the neurophysiologic test procedures showed clearly pathological findings in scoliotic patients as compared to a normal population.

Conclusions: It has not to be considered as probable that idiopathic scoliosis is caused by a disturbance of postural regulation.