Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Scoliosis: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Dear Colleagues,

Scoliosis is a complex, three-dimensional spinal deformity that requires nuanced evaluation and coordinated care. Recent advances in diagnosis, management, and multidisciplinary approaches have reshaped how clinicians, researchers, and allied health professionals address this condition. Traditionally, scoliosis assessment has relied heavily on radiographic imaging; however, emerging non-radiographic diagnostic methods—including surface topography, three-dimensional ultrasound, and digital posture analysis—are offering safer, more dynamic insights into spinal curvature and progression. This Special Issue of Medicina, “Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Scoliosis: A Multidisciplinary Approach,” highlights innovative strategies that integrate orthopaedics, chiropractic care, physical therapy, rehabilitation sciences, and biomechanical engineering to optimize patient outcomes. By featuring cutting-edge research on early detection, risk stratification, nonoperative treatments, and technology-enhanced monitoring, the collection aims to inform clinicians about the latest evidence-based practices and encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration. Ultimately, this Special Issue underscores the shift toward individualized, patient-centred care models—bridging genetics, imaging, and functional assessment to improve both short- and long-term outcomes for individuals living with scoliosis.

We invite researchers, clinicians, and innovators to submit original research articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses to Medicina for the Special Issue “Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Scoliosis: A Multidisciplinary Approach.” This Special Issue will showcase new frontiers in scoliosis evaluation, treatment, and patient-centred care, with a special emphasis on non-radiographic diagnostic methods and multidisciplinary strategies that bridge orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and technology-driven interventions.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Development and validation of non-radiographic scoliosis evaluation tools (surface topography, 3D ultrasound, digital posture analysis);
• Early detection and risk stratification models incorporating genetics, epigenetics, or biomarkers;
• Nonoperative management strategies, including physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE), bracing, chiropractic interventions, and integrative rehabilitation;
• Technological innovations in monitoring curve progression and treatment response;
• Patient-reported outcome measures and quality-of-life research related to scoliosis care;
• Collaborative care models and multidisciplinary treatment frameworks.

Submissions will undergo rigorous peer review to ensure scientific quality, methodological rigor, and clinical relevance. We encourage authors to highlight translational aspects, real-world implementation, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. By sharing your work, you will contribute to a growing evidence base that seeks to improve outcomes, reduce unnecessary radiation exposure, and enhance individualized care for individuals with scoliosis.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and advancing the science of scoliosis diagnosis and management together.

Dr. Mark W. Morningstar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.