Acute postural adaptations induced by a shoe lift in idiopathic scoliosis patients

The objective of this study was to identify acute spinal and three-dimensio nal postural adaptations induced by a shoe lift in a population of idiopath ic scoliosis (IS) patients. Forty-six IS patients (mean age: 12+/-2 years) were evaluated radiologically and with a stereovideographic system for pelv ic obliquity. Based on the initial postural and radiological evaluation, a pertinent shoe lift height was chosen for each with the result that 12 pati ents were tested with 5-mm (S5) lifts, 20 patients were tested with 10-mm ( S10) Lifts, and 14 patients with 15-mm (S15) lifts. The posture for all 46 patients was then re-evaluated and a spinal radiograph obtained for 14 pati ents. The implementation of a shoe lift independent of the type of curve an d amplitude significantly decreased the Cobb angle. As expected there was a change in the vertical height of the left tibial plateau and greater troch anter that induced a change in pelvic tilt. There was also a significant in crease in the vertical height of S1 and T1. There was a significant change in the left and right iliac bone version, as well as a decrease in the diff erence in version between these two bones. The implementation of the shoe l ifts also changed the lateral shift of the pelvis. A relative change betwee n the shoulders and pelvis for tilt and anteroposterior shift was also foun d to be significant. In conclusion, using a shoe lift resulted in acute pos tural adaptations which specifically affected the spine and the three-dimen sional position and orientation of the pelvis and shoulder girdle.