[Orthopedic and surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis in childhood and adolescence].

Any evolutive scoliosis must be treated actively. The orthopaedic treatment by brace makes it possible to slow down the spinal deformity evolution. In many cases, physiotherapy could be of great help during the conservative treatment phase. Thus, it is possible to contain the scoliosis progression during the rapid growth phase of the spine, in adolescence. In some patients, spinal deformity can remain moderate, making it possible to keep a satisfying function and balance of the spine in adulthood. Sometimes, the orthopaedic treatment alone is not sufficient and surgery is necessary to provide a well-balanced spine with an acceptable residual spinal deformity. The aims of surgical treatment are to correct spinal deformity by means of vertebral osteosynthesis and to stabilize the final correction by means of bone grafting. These surgical procedures made according to strict rules, give excellent functional results and make it possible to carry out a strictly normal adult life.