Kenanidis E, Potoupnis ME, Papavasiliou KA, et al. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and exercising: is there truly a liaison? Spine 2008;33:2160-5.

Kenanidis E, Potoupnis ME, Papavasiliou KA, et al. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and exercising: is there truly a liaison? Spine 2008;33:2160–5. We read with great interest the article by Kenanidis et al that shows, despite certain limitations, that sport has no correlation with scoliosis. However, the article said nothing in regard to exercising and scoliosis, as was misleadingly stated in the title and abstract. The terms exercise and sport are clearly distinguished from one another by the medical community. In the context of MeSH the terms sport, exercise, and exercise therapy have different definitions, and sport is not even in the same section of the MeSH tree. In the spine medical community, this is very well known when back pain is concerned: the terms stay active, physical activity, and exercise are clearly distinguished from one another and are therefore, studied independently. Regarding adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), sport has been studied with contrasting results, while 1 RCT, some prospective controlled studies, and 3 systematic reviews have confirmed the usefulness of exercise therapy in controlling the evolution of AIS, reducing the occurrence of brace prescription, and increasing brace efficacy. The actual strength of evidence on the usefulness of exercise therapy for the treatment of AIS is 2a. We can certainly understand a bit of linguistic confusion in everyday life, but this is not acceptable in the technical domain. When scoliosis is concerned, it seems the orthopaedic surgeons community has difficulties in considering an exercise therapy, even in the face of the cited evidence. Thus exercising can be an improper generalization by the authors or the reviewers, but the leading journal of the spine medical community (Spine) should pay greater attention to the terminology used–mainly in titles and abstracts–so as not to generate incorrect messages within (and outside) our community.