Gillespy T, Gillespy T, Revak C S
Skeletal Radiol. 1985;13(4):280-6. doi: 10.1007/BF00355350.
An increasing scoliosis was documented in seven elderly women. The average curve at the most recent examination was 43 degrees (range 26 degrees-78 degrees). Previous films, from 5 to 26 years before, demonstrated an average increase of 2.3 degrees/year (range 1 degree-4.8 degrees/year). There were three lumbar and four thoracolumbar curves. Three curves were to the right and four were to the left. Only one patient had osteoporotic vertebral body crush fractures. The common underlying mechanism in the progression of senile scoliosis appears to be asymmetric loading of the spine which can be caused by a previously established scoliosis, spondylolysis/spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral anomalies, or leg length discrepancy. Subsequently, factors that can cause a curve to increase include degenerative disc disease with lateral disc space narrowing, soft tissue failure, and osteoporosis. Since even minor scoliosis can potentially progress in the older adult, increased monitoring of scoliosis in patients over age 50 years may be warranted.
七名老年女性被记录有脊柱侧弯加重的情况。最近一次检查时的平均弯曲度为43度（范围为26度至78度）。之前在5至26年前拍摄的X光片显示平均每年增加2.3度（范围为1度至4.8度）。有三个腰椎弯曲和四个胸腰段弯曲。三个弯曲向右，四个弯曲向左。只有一名患者有骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折。老年脊柱侧弯进展的常见潜在机制似乎是脊柱的不对称负荷，这可能由先前存在的脊柱侧弯、椎弓根峡部裂/椎体滑脱、腰骶部异常或腿长差异引起。随后，可导致弯曲度增加的因素包括椎间盘退变伴侧方椎间隙变窄、软组织功能障碍和骨质疏松。由于即使是轻微的脊柱侧弯在老年人中也可能进展，因此对50岁以上患者加强脊柱侧弯监测可能是必要的。
