Untreated scoliosis in severe cerebral palsy.

An institutionalized adult cerebral palsy (CP) population was studied to evaluate the orthopaedic, functional, and cardiopulmonary status of 14 residents with untreated scoliosis greater than 45 degrees as compared with 42 residents with mild or no curves. Both groups were comparable in age, sex distribution, percentage of quadriplegics, and extent of mental retardation. Patients in the scoliosis group had more orthopaedic deformities involving the pelvis and hips and needed modified wheelchairs more often than did those without curves. There were no differences in incidence of decubiti, highest functional level achieved, functional loss, oxygen saturation, or pulse.