Computerized documentation of scoliosis

The authors report their experience in the development of a computerized recording system in their scoliosis unit. The form of documentation used must be designed to comply with the memory of the available computer. Following a detailed analysis of the various fields comprising the documentation proforma, the technical methods used to minimise errors while loading the maximum number of cases into the computer are discussed. Complex statistical analyses are possible only with the aid of computerized documentation and it is hoped this will be used more frequently in future in departments specialising in the problems of vertebral deformity. The formulation of a common documentation proforma for scoliosis would unify the terminology, and make it possible to introduce comparability and homogeneity into the clinical data as well as the results of different techniques.