Cotrel traction, exercises, casting in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. A pilot study and prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.

A pilot study of ten individuals with adolescent-onset idiopathic scoliosis demonstrated that a week of Cotrel traction and exercises did not improve curve correction obtained by the application of an elongation, derotation, flexion (EDF) cast. There was, however, a significant improvement on lateral bending correction during this period. A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial showed that the exercise programme and not the traction was responsible for rendering the spine less rigid.