Comparison of Upper and Lower Extremity Normal Joint Spaces of Patients with Adolescent Idiopatic Scoliosis with their Healthy Contemporary

Objective: This study was conducted to compare the normal range of motion of the shoulder and elbow in the upper extremity, hip and knee in the lower extremity of patients with a diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with their healthy peers. Method: Socio - demographic and physical characteristics of all individuals participating in the study were recorded. Only subjects with Lenke type 1 curve were included in the study and all included subjects had right thoracic curves. The hip, knee, shoulder and elbow flexion and extension normal range of motion of the participants were evaluated using a universal goniometer. Results: A total of 56 adolescents, 20 girls and 8 boys in the AIS group, and 20 girls and 8 boys in the control group, participated in the study. The thoracic curve of the group with scoliosis was calculated as 19.61±4.16. Among the cases included in the study, the mean age of the AIS group was calculated as 14.2±1.26 years, and the mean age of the control group as 13.84±0.62 years. When we look at the findings, it was seen that the shoulder, hip and knee flexion normal range of motion values of children with right thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were statistically lower than the flexion normal range of motion values of healthy children. (p<0.05) Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, the decrease in flexion and normal joint range of motion in the extremities should also be considered in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.