Viscoelastic properties of superficial back muscles in adolescents with Lenke Type 1A and 1B idiopathic scoliosis.

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the viscoelastic properties of the superficial back muscles of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with Lenke Type 1A and 1B curves compared to their healthy peers. 20 participants with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and 20 healthy peers were evaluated. Cobb angle was recorded for scoliosis participants. The upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles, and latissimus dorsi muscles were evaluated bilaterally with Myoton-3 as stiffness, elasticity and tone parameters for all participants. Cobb angle was 20.30 ± 8.52° for participants with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Muscular stiffness in participants with scoliosis was greater than that of the healthy group for all muscles and both sides. Muscle elasticity was only different for the latissimus dorsi and middle trapezius muscles for the left side and they showed significantly decrease in participants with scoliosis. There was no statistical difference in muscle tone between the groups (p > 0.05). Our findings suggest that adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis exhibit increased muscular stiffness bilaterally in superficial back muscles, decreased muscle elasticity on the concave side of the curve compared to healthy peers suggests potential implications for the biomechanics and rehabilitation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.