[Sports capacity of patients with scoliosis]

The burden of sport of patients with scoliosis depends on the age, the expected progredience of the deformity and the attained deformation. In children and teenagers treated with an orthesis, total prohibition is not appropriate. All kinds of sport not involving any risk of injury to the participant or the patient wearing an orthesis can be practised. The orthesis may be removed only during swimming. For patients with a fused spine the number of the remaining lumbar moving segments and the deformity are essential for the exercise load. If there are less than three free lumbar segments all kinds of sport with axial and rotationary burdens are not to be recommended. If the spinal bending is more than 50 degrees (Cobb) the limitation of the cardiopulmonary ability is even more severe.