Regression of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis.

For a young scoliotic boy the customary "wait and watch" management program for rapidly progressive juvenile idiopathic scoliosis was considered unsatisfactory in view of the poor prognosis. The management program devised was based on the congenital postural induction concept of scoliosis with progression accruing from mechanically induced bioengineering fatigue, cumulative molecular scissions, laxity of ligaments, and secondary bone deformation. A coexisting pelvic tilt with restricted movement of the hip and shoulder joints was overlooked initially. Possibly induced simultaneously with the scoliosis, it is considered a contributory factor in scoliosis progression and requires early diagnosis and correction. The rapid improvement in this child's spinal status achieved by physiological traction and specifically designed exercises was such that as a preventive measure the technique warrants further clinical assessment on young scoliotics.