Correlation between spinal coronal balance and static baropodometry in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Scoliosis is accepted as a 3-dimensional deformity involving axial, sagittal and frontal planes.

To evaluate the correlation between baropodometric parameters and coronal balance status for idiopathic scoliosis.

44 patients (7 males and 37 females) of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) were recruited. All participants should have scoliosis confirmed by a spine X-ray performed less than one month ahead of the baropodometric study. Radiographic studies including Cobb angle, offset between Central Sacral Vertical Line (CSVL) and C7 Vertebra Plumb Line (C7PL) (considered as global coronal balance, GCB), Apical Translation of the major curve (AT, considered as regional coronal balance) as well as Lateral Pelvic Tilt (LPT) were examined. A static baropodometry was performed for each patient. The contact surface and load ratio (to the entire load of both feet) were measured.

On both sides, the surface of the forefoot was significantly larger than that of the rearfoot (P < 0.001) and the load ratio of the forefoot was significantly smaller than that of the rearfoot (P < 0.001). On the major curve side, GCB showed a positive correlation with the contact surface of the forefoot (r = 0.36, P = 0.019), as well as the load ratio (r = 0.40, P = 0.008). AT also showed a positive correlation with the load ratio of the forefoot (r = 0.331, P = 0.03) but no correlation with contact surface.

In scoliosis, coronal balance is correlated to plantar pressure distribution. Apical translation of the major curve and offset between CSVL and C7PL are the best describers of coronal balance.