Pain assessment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at different stages of disease evolution

OBJECTIVE: The correlation between pain complaints and the severity of the spinal curvature in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and intensity of back pain in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients at different stages of the disease. METHODS: Sixty-four individuals participated in this study with scoliotic curves (Cobb angles) between 20 and 90 degrees. Patients were divided into four groups according to the scoliotic curves: Group 1 (with 20 to 45 degrees) Group 2 (curves greater than 45 degrees before surgery), Group 3 (curves greater than 45 degrees one year after posterior spinal arthrodesis with pedicle screws) and Group 4 (healthy adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age; control group). RESULTS: The scores obtained from the pain domain of the SRS-30 questionnaire (specifically developed for the assessment of adolescent scoliosis) were significantly worse for patients with scoliosis, regardless of the evolutionary phase of the disease. Patients who underwent surgical treatment presented statistically better results one year after surgery than did the group of patients with moderate Cobb angles. CONCLUSION: Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis had a higher intensity of back pain than healthy individuals. Pain was reduced one year after spinal arthrodesis.