Experimental progressive scoliosis in the rabbit.

“ It is indeed unfortunate that our knowledge of the causes of scoliosis has not gone much beyond the observational stage : we know little more about it than what clinical and x-ray examination reveal.” These words were written by Steindler in 1955. Although there has been considerable development of methods in the treatment of scoliosis, this condition can still be called the crux orthopaedica. As studies of scoliosis in man have not given us any idea of its pathogenesis, many authors have tried to elucidate the problem by animal experiments. However, in all the series. of experimentally provoked scoliosis described in the literature the deformities have been slight. It appears that deformities corresponding in severity to the scoliosis which causes real disability in man have not been produced. So far, therefore, little light has been shed on the problems of scoliosis by such experiments. The experimental work done, however, has not been very systematic and there is still reason to agree with Arnd (1903): “ In all other fields within the scope of surgery it is by experiment that a decision as to the correct form of therapy has been reached. It is to be hoped that the study of scoliosis may also reap some benefit from work of this kind.”