Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Currently, there are few reports about Scheuermann’s disease, and relevant clinical experiences are lack.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical diagnosis, manifestation and operative treatment of Scheuermann’s kyphosis and analyze its clinical outcomes.
METHODS: Nine patients with Scheuermann’s disease were selected in the Department of Orthopedics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, from January 2002 to December 2009. All the patients received posterior spinal osteotomy and three-dimensional orthopedic treatment. The kyphosis Cobb’s angle in the sagittal plane, clinical manifestation were evaluated both before and after operation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The median follow-up was 27 months (3-88months), and two cases were lost. The mean kyphosis Cobb’s angle in the sagittal plane changed from 68° (30°-86°) to 29° (0°-56°). The correction rate was about 55% (35%-100%). The kyphosis Cobb’s angle on the final follow-up was 30° (5°-58°), and the mean lost angle was 1°. The sagittal balance was good (from 4.5 cm to 1.5 cm). All patients, who had chronic back pain, fatiguability refractory to conservative treatment, improved considerably after surgery. One-stage posterior spinal osteotomy with three-dimensional orthopedic treatment can be used effectively for the correction of Scheuermann’s kyphosis.