Scoliosis, or lateral curvature, falls into two groups: (1) functional scoliosis, being classed also as postural, which is simply a bad way of standing, and (2) structural scoliosis, also classed as fixed or organic, because there are actual changes in the spinal column and adjoining soft parts.
This paper will deal wholly with the treatment of organic or structural scoliosis, which is our real problem and a very complicated, serious and difficult deformity, the treatment of which has been far from satisfactory.1 It may be fairly estimated that today a large proportion of all cases of scoliosis in this country which have reached a moderate or serious grade are receiving ineffectual treatment, or none at all. There are two reasons for this: 1. The problem is assumed to be largely a muscular one. 2. In the consideration of the condition and its remedy, even when the importance and predominance