RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN IN ADOLESCENTS: INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine characterized by lateral curvatures associated with vertebral rotation, of unknown etiology, mainly affecting adolescents during the growth spurt. This condition can cause aesthetic, functional, and emotional implications, and is often related to musculoskeletal pain, compromising the quality of life of affected individuals. Objective: To analyze the relationship between idiopathic scoliosis and musculoskeletal pain in adolescents. Method: This is a literature review carried out through the selection of scientific articles published in indexed journals from SCIELO, PubMed, and the Virtual Health Library (BVS). The search was conducted between August and September 2025, using the descriptors extracted from DeCS: physiotherapy, posture, adolescence, and musculoskeletal pain, combined through the Boolean operator AND. Inclusion criteria comprised case studies, intervention, randomized, multicenter cohort, systematic review, and meta-analysis articles published in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, within the last ten years and freely available. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, six studies were selected. Results: The studies revealed variability in clinical and radiographic parameters of AIS, with a weak correlation between sagittal and coronal axes, indicating a compensatory three-dimensional behavior. The condition predominantly affected females aged 10 to 18 years, with limited reliability of isolated screening methods such as the Adams test and scoliometer. Conclusion: AIS is a complex condition associated with muscular asymmetries, fatigue, altered load distribution, and postural compensations, leading to musculoskeletal pain. The relationship between AIS and musculoskeletal pain is multifactorial, involving biomechanical, muscular, and psychosocial factors.