Webinar: NeuroMuscular Scoliosis from Infancy to Adulthood with Esther de Ru, Netherlands
February 6, 2021 10 am EST
Dr. René Castelein, MD, PhD
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands
Many years of dedicated research into the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis have led to a multitude of theories on this fascinating condition. Genetics, spinal upright biomechanics, metabolism, propriosepsis, the central nervous system, and disturbances of normal paediatric growth have all been implicated in several studies. The problem in scoliosis research, however, is that practically always the end product, which is an already established curvature, is studied. This means that it is impossible to distinguish between factors that are causative to the disorder, those that are the result of it, or those that merely co-occur with it.
In idiopathic scoliosis, it has been known for a long time that the anterior part of the spinal column is longer than the posterior part. This was already pointed out by 19th century anatomists, who had a great three-dimensional (3D) knowledge of the human body. Unfortunately, in later years, also related to the discovery of radiography, this 3D thinking was to a certain extent replaced by more two-dimensional concepts, thus scoliosis was somewhat reduced to a disorder of the coronal plane. More recently, and with the aid of modern 3-dimensional imaging techniques, the true 3D morphology of the scoliotic spine was again re-emphasized. The fact that the anterior part of the spine is longer in scoliosis has led to the etiological theory that a disturbance of the normal, harmonious growth of all parts of the spine, might be at the basis of the development of idiopathic scoliosis. In this webinar, arguments, based on thorough research, are brought forward that indicate that this ‘Relative anterior spinal overgrowth’, or RASO, is indeed a real phenomenon but that it should not be considered the cause of idiopathic scoliosis.
ApiFix® Procedure Overview
Uri Arnin, Co-Founder
Israel
Join Uri Arnin and Saar Wollach from ApiFix Ltd for a presentation and discussion on the ApiFix procedure which is a less invasive, motion-preserving treatment option for select patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
Uri and Saar will begin this webinar providing an overview and evolution of the ApiFix system, as well as indications for use, leading into an open discussion regarding patient selection and recommended pre-op and post-op exercises. This will be a very informative presentation on an emerging treatment for AIS. Please join us for this informative webinar!
