The Rehabilitative Management of Adult Scoliosis with Radicular Neuropathy and Lateral Spondylolisthesis of Lumbar Vertebrae: A Case Report
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Published:
Dec 24, 2025
Keywords:
Adult scoliosis, Spondylolisthesis, Radiculopathy, Rehabilitative management, Spinal Orthoses
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: Adult scoliosis is a progressive spinal deformity that can be further complicated by neurological symptoms and structural instability due to the asymmetric degenerative changes in the vertebral column. Radicular neuropathy and lateral rotational listhesis caused by curve progression may lead to significant functional impairment, chronic pain, and reduced quality of life.
Case presentation: A 53-year-old female patient presenting with severe scoliosis complained of 6-months continuous radicular pain to our spine rehabilitation clinic. Scoliogram showed right thoracic curve (T4-T11) Cobb’s angle 70o, left lumbar curve (T11-L4) Cobb’s angle 65o, rotational lateral listhesis of L2-L3 grade I. Patient was prescribed with scoliosis-specific therapeutic exercise and physical modalities for 3 months. A rigid 3D adult scoliosis brace was custom-made and used part-time (4-5 hours daily) for 6 months. Our data demonstrated immediate and continuous improvement of pain and spinal stability.
Discussion: Implementing individualized rehabilitative strategies targeting both mechanical and neurogenic disorders were able to help maintain symptoms and progression of adult scoliosis, as recommended by literature.
Conclusion: Comprehensive rehabilitative approach to adult scoliosis patient with spondylolisthesis and radiculopathy is important to reduce symptoms and enhance function by emphasizing the integration of physical therapy, pain management, and bracing.
Case presentation: A 53-year-old female patient presenting with severe scoliosis complained of 6-months continuous radicular pain to our spine rehabilitation clinic. Scoliogram showed right thoracic curve (T4-T11) Cobb’s angle 70o, left lumbar curve (T11-L4) Cobb’s angle 65o, rotational lateral listhesis of L2-L3 grade I. Patient was prescribed with scoliosis-specific therapeutic exercise and physical modalities for 3 months. A rigid 3D adult scoliosis brace was custom-made and used part-time (4-5 hours daily) for 6 months. Our data demonstrated immediate and continuous improvement of pain and spinal stability.
Discussion: Implementing individualized rehabilitative strategies targeting both mechanical and neurogenic disorders were able to help maintain symptoms and progression of adult scoliosis, as recommended by literature.
Conclusion: Comprehensive rehabilitative approach to adult scoliosis patient with spondylolisthesis and radiculopathy is important to reduce symptoms and enhance function by emphasizing the integration of physical therapy, pain management, and bracing.
Article Details
How to Cite
Hartantri, W., & Satyawati, R. (2025). The Rehabilitative Management of Adult Scoliosis with Radicular Neuropathy and Lateral Spondylolisthesis of Lumbar Vertebrae: A Case Report. Indonesian Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 14(2), 263 - 270. https://doi.org/10.36803/indojpmr.v14i2.511
Section
Case Report
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References
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9. Zaina F, Ferrario I, Caronni A, Scarano S, Donzelli S, Negrini S. Measuring Quality of Life in Adults with Scoliosis: A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing SRS-22 and ISYQOL Questionnaires. JCM. 2023 Aug 1;12(15):5071.
10. Negrini S, Donzelli S, Aulisa AG, Czaprowski D, Schreiber S, de Mauroy JC, et al. 2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis. 2018 Dec;13(1):3.
11. Riley DS, Barber MS, Kienle GS, Aronson JK, von Schoen-Angerer T, Tugwell P, et al. CARE guidelines for case reports: explanation and elaboration document. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 2017 Sept;89:218–35.
12. Kelly A, Younus A, Lekgwara P. Adult degenerative scoliosis – A literature review. Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery. 2020 June;20:100661.
13. Ng SY, Lung THA, Cheng LYJ, Ng YLE. Brace Prescription for Adult Scoliosis - Literature Review. TOORTHJ. 2022 July 19;16(1):e187432502205270.
14. Negrini A, Parzini S, Negrini MG, Romano M, Atanasio S, Zaina F, et al. Adult scoliosis can be reduced through specific SEAS exercises: a case report. Scoliosis [Internet]. 2008 Dec [cited 2025 July 25];3(1). Available from: https://scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1748-7161-3-20
15. Mohamed M, Trivedi J, Davidson N, Munigangaiah S. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a review of current concepts. Orthopaedics and Trauma. 2020 Dec;34(6):338–45.
2. Silva FE, Lenke LG. Adult degenerative scoliosis: evaluation and management. FOC. 2010 Mar;28(3):E1.
3. Dagdia L, Kokabu T, Ito M. Classification of Adult Spinal Deformity: Review of Current Concepts and Future Directions. Spine Surg Relat Res. 2019 Jan 25;3(1):17–26.
4. Zaina F, Marchese R, Donzelli S, Cordani C, Pulici C, McAviney J, et al. Current Knowledge on the Different Characteristics of Back Pain in Adults with and without Scoliosis: A Systematic Review. JCM. 2023 Aug 9;12(16):5182.
5. Aebi M. The adult scoliosis. Eur Spine J. 2005 Dec;14(10):925–48.
6. Protopsaltis T, Schwab F, Bronsard N, Smith JS, Klineberg E, Mundis G, et al. The T1 Pelvic Angle, a Novel Radiographic Measure of Global Sagittal Deformity, Accounts for Both Spinal Inclination and Pelvic Tilt and Correlates with Health-Related Quality of Life. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2014 Oct 1;96(19):1631–40.
7. Park SJ, Park JS, Kang DH, Lee CS, Suh SW, Nam Y. A Novel, Easy-to-Measure Radiographic Parameter to Assess Spinopelvic Malalignment: The Pelvic Inclination Angle. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery [Internet]. 2025 Mar 28 [cited 2025 Sept 19]; Available from: https://journals.lww.com/10.2106/JBJS.24.00520
8. Schoutens C, Cushman DM, McCormick ZL, Conger A, Van Royen BJ, Spiker WR. Outcomes of Nonsurgical Treatments for Symptomatic Adult Degenerative Scoliosis: A Systematic Review. Pain Medicine. 2020 June 1;21(6):1263–75.
9. Zaina F, Ferrario I, Caronni A, Scarano S, Donzelli S, Negrini S. Measuring Quality of Life in Adults with Scoliosis: A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing SRS-22 and ISYQOL Questionnaires. JCM. 2023 Aug 1;12(15):5071.
10. Negrini S, Donzelli S, Aulisa AG, Czaprowski D, Schreiber S, de Mauroy JC, et al. 2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis. 2018 Dec;13(1):3.
11. Riley DS, Barber MS, Kienle GS, Aronson JK, von Schoen-Angerer T, Tugwell P, et al. CARE guidelines for case reports: explanation and elaboration document. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 2017 Sept;89:218–35.
12. Kelly A, Younus A, Lekgwara P. Adult degenerative scoliosis – A literature review. Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery. 2020 June;20:100661.
13. Ng SY, Lung THA, Cheng LYJ, Ng YLE. Brace Prescription for Adult Scoliosis - Literature Review. TOORTHJ. 2022 July 19;16(1):e187432502205270.
14. Negrini A, Parzini S, Negrini MG, Romano M, Atanasio S, Zaina F, et al. Adult scoliosis can be reduced through specific SEAS exercises: a case report. Scoliosis [Internet]. 2008 Dec [cited 2025 July 25];3(1). Available from: https://scoliosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1748-7161-3-20
15. Mohamed M, Trivedi J, Davidson N, Munigangaiah S. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a review of current concepts. Orthopaedics and Trauma. 2020 Dec;34(6):338–45.