[Orthopedic treatment of Scheuermann's juvenile kyphosis]

The authors establish some indications, depending on several criteria, of the treatment of cases of juvenile kyphosis of the Scheuermann type. These are based on their experience acquired in the therapy of 26 cases of juvenile kyphosis in which orthopaedic procedures have been applied -- plaster cast for recovery in two stages, followed by an orthopaedic corset and careful follow-up for at least one year after the end of the treatment. The criteria suggested as being important are: the severity of the kyphosis, the mobility of the spine, the severity of the kyphosis, the mobility of the spine, the severity of the vertebral structural lesions and the bone age. In cases of kyphosis under 40 degrees with a mobile spine, with minimal radiological lesions, detected before the end of growth, kinesitherapy is indicated and repeated clinico-radiological follow-up. The progression of the kyphosis under treatment or the existance of important vertebral structural lesions make necessary the performance of an orthopaedic treatment, the same as the severe cases of kyphosis, over 40 degrees, with median or severe vertebral lesions.