The significance of the lumbosacral curve in idiopathic scoliosis

The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of the lumbosacral curve in idiopathic scoliosis from several points of view. Cases with idiopathic scoliosis were radiologically analysed in the frontal plane, in the horizontal plane with CT-scan and in the sagittal plane, and the relationship of these dimensional deformites in the lumbosacral junction was studied. These findings were also contrasted with the severity, the pattern and the chronological changes of the main curve above. From the results it can be said that the lumbosacral curve is not necessarily a compensatory curve, but may play a more positive role in the formation of the curve pattern of the entire spine. Generally, the lumbosacral junction of thoracic scoliosis was less mobile than that of lumbar and double major cases. It was difficult, however, to predict the potential progress of a mild scoliosis from the attitude of the lumbosacral junction.