Review

A narrative review on spinal deformities in people with cerebral palsy: Measurement, norm values, incidence, risk factors and treatment

E Britz, N G Langerak, R P Lamberts

Abstract


Spinal deformities are common in people with cerebral palsy (CP), and there is a concern of an increase during the adult ageing period. There is especially a worry about the increase of scoliosis, thoracic hyperkyphosis, lumbar hyperlordosis, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis incidence, though supporting literature is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this narrative review is to provide a scientific overview of how spinal curvatures should be measured, what the norm values are and the incidence in people with CP, as well as a description of the risk factors and the treatment regimens for these spinal abnormalities. This review can be used as a guideline relevant for a range of clinicians, including orthopaedic and neurosurgeons, radiologists, physiotherapists, and biokineticists, as well as academics.


Authors' affiliations

E Britz, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa

N G Langerak, Neuroscience Institute and the Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa

R P Lamberts, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa

Full Text

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Keywords

Spinal deformities; Curvatures; Cerebral palsy; Measurement; Norm values; Incidence; Treatment

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2020;110(8):767-776. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i8.14472

Article History

Date submitted: 2020-07-29
Date published: 2020-07-29

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