A study published by Berven et al in Spine, Sep 2007, reviewed published scientific literature in an attempt to answer the question of whether patients benefit from scoliosis surgery. The results supported their statement that “there are no current, definitive studies that answer the question posed above.”

“Primary objectives of surgical treatment with instrumentation are to (1) arrest progression, (2) achieve maximum permanent correction of the deformity in three dimensions, (3) improve appearance by balancing the trunk, and (4) keep short-term and long-term complications to a minimum.”

“…At present time, no conclusive evidence exists about improved radiographic outcomes in patients with AIS correlate with enhanced function, self-image, or health.”

~ Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Lancet. 2008 May 3;371(9623):1527-37.
Weinstein SL, Dolan LA, Cheng JC, Danielsson A, Morcuende JA.
SourceDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, IA 52242, USA. stuart-weinstein@uiowa.edu