Bone mineral density at the femur and lumbar spine in a population of young women treated for scoliosis in adolescence

Objectives. To evaluate associations between scoliosis and bone mineral den sity. Many of the factors involved in the etiopathogenesis of idiopathic sc oliosis also affect peak bone mass acquisition, which occurs primarily duri ng puberty, a period of progression for scoliosis. Method. We compared 33 p atients treated for scoliosis with 33 controls and looked for correlations between bone mineral density and a number of retrospectively collected para meters (e.g., duration of bracing, outcome in adulthood). Results. Bone min eral density values were lower in the patients than in the controls. Among the patients, those with osteopenia wore a brace significantly longer and h ad more severe scoliosis in adulthood than those without osteopenia. Conclu sions. These findings suggest a need for osteopenia screening and preventio n in children with scoliosis, for monitoring physical activity and calcium intake during bracing, for preferring braces that allow greater mobility, a nd for closely monitoring the scoliosis during adulthood if osteopenia is p resent.