Severe congenital scoliosis: What possibilities for seating installation and mobility?

Introduction We call congenital scoliosis a spinal curve which may be present before age of 3 [1] . Some resolve spontaneously while others can severely progress, but the literature do not report data about their prevalence. Its impact is multiple: the curve can induce an oblique pelvis, an alteration of respiratory function, some nutritional troubles or pain. All those can impair, daily the possibilities of prone or sitting positions, or capacities of mobility. And those problems, as we know, have not being studied in publications up to now. Objective From 5 situations, we will approach the complaints of children and teenagers with severe congenital scoliosis, about their sitting installation with discomfort, their mobility or participation limitations. In each case, we will also report some possible difficulties for the adaptation of compensation devices. Discussion/conclusion Young patients with severe scoliosis can suffer daily of bad installation, painful and impossible to sustain during hours. They can need devices to support their mobility (scooter, wheelchair). Those problems are not enough evaluated and taken into account while they can impact patient's quality of life. Attribution of devices for compensation is not a simple course, from the evaluation to the technical realization (custom-made most generally) with sometimes even legal difficulties.