6th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformites

May 21-23, 2009 - Lyon, France

The 6th annual meeting of the Society of Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) was held from May the 20th to the 23rd. More than just an expensive journey, scientific conferences are important functions where international relations can develop, scientific knowledge can improve and work at efficiency progress.
This particular meeting of the SOSORT was remarkable for a number of reasons, not the least being that it was the first time we had met in Lyon, city of great tradition of gastronomy and conservative orthopaedic treatment of scoliosis. I think the gala dinner at Paul Bocuse will long be remembered.
The most significant aspect, however, was our local organization by the SIRER (International Society of Research and Studies on the Spine). Although the number of French participants was limited, the members of the SIRER have appreciated the remarkable dynamism of SOSORT. As the objectives of our two societies are very close, a joint future seems logical. The memberships of our two societies are still minor, the meetings are long and leisurely paced and virtually everyone in the small speciality of orthopaedic conservative treatment knew each other…
A notable aspect of the 2008 meeting was the energy and ideas that flowed from it, resulting in many enduring orthopaedic educational experiences. With more than 100 scientific presentations, and 20 posters it was a tremendous opportunity for the exchange of ideas and the advancement of knowledge among the 180 delegates from 36 countries. Moreover, one must mention the renewal of friendship among physiotherapists, orthotists and physicians who work so far away from one another. Progress will not be made without close cooperation between the physician, the orthotist, the engineer and the physiotherapist. Let’s work together to make them develop.
This year the educational session was focused on kyphosis and will probably be the starting point of a new book of Instructional Course Lectures like 2007 in Athens. The first step towards a consensus on conservative orthopedic treatment of kyphosis was achieved.
An additional key point was provided by James Ogilvie thanks to predictive genetic testing of evolutive scoliosis. Bracing without first plaster cast reduction do not change the natural history of idiopathic scoliosis... In Europe, we are convinced of the effectiveness of our conservative orthopaedic treatment, but the multiplicity of braces and protocols makes our work implausible. Not all underarm braces are the same. Some are well designed with force points in critical areas and relief in others to allow both passive and active correction. Adequate openings for full lung inspiration and breast development are critical but often forgotten in the desire to achieve a better X-ray correction.
After this meeting, we will be able to coordinate our actions, to precise the technical realization of braces, their indications and the physiotherapy associated.
If you want to re-evaluate some of the information, you can listen to the recorded lectures and review the slides in video streaming.
Who knows what beneficial, long-lasting concepts born at this meeting will be implemented for the future overall good for conservative management?


                                                                                                                           Jean Claude de Mauroy