Straight Talk on Idiopathic Scoliosis: Conservative approach to management

Learning objectives

1. Provide an overview of the physiological and biomechanical aspects of idiopathic scoliosis and their implications for management.

2. Provide a comprehensive overview of a multidisciplinary approach in the conservative management of idiopathic scoliosis

3. Learn about the common outcome measures used in the management of idiopathic scoliosis

4. Explore the effectiveness and benefits of conservative management strategies in idiopathic scoliosis 

5. Identify challenges and limitations for the conservative approach to idiopathic scoliosis.

Convenor: Dr June Quek, Principal Physiotherapist, Singapore General Hospital

Biography: Dr June is a Principal Physiotherapist at the Singapore General Hospital and has more than 20 years of experience in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. She completed her PhD in 2017 at the University of Queensland and has a special interest in spinal rehabilitation. She is a passionate clinician and educator and has to-date 11 publications in peer reviewed journals. She has undergone rigorous training with the International Schroth 3-dimensional Scoliosis Therapy and a recognised trained practitioner for scoliosis-specific exercises, enabling her to provide comprehensive care to both adolescents and adults.

Speaker: Dr Phoebe Ng, Physiotherapist, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Topic title: Scoliosis management in adolescents and adults

Biography: Dr Phoebe has been treating children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) since 2014, and is trained in Spinecor Paediatric Bracing, Spinecor Exercise Method and Schroth scoliosis- specific exercises (Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School, certified in C1 and C2). She recently completed her PhD in January 2024, where she investigated the health profile and paraspinal muscle activity in children with AIS. She was awarded the Scoliosis Research Society Cortel grant in 2021. During her candidature, she presented her work on AIS at 6 conferences/symposiums. Currently, she has 3 publications in AIS and 1 under review.

Speaker: Dr Toh Siao Hui, Senior Physiotherapist, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Topic title: Outcome measures in scoliosis

Biography: Dr Toh Siao Hui is a senior physiotherapist with KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. She graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) from University of Melbourne and obtained her PhD from Curtin University in 2019 where she was awarded vice chancellor’s commendation. Her PhD research was on the use of mobile technology devices and their impact on musculoskeletal symptoms in adolescents, conducted with a representative sample of adolescents from Singapore. Her current research interests and activities include telehealth, physical activity and sedentary behaviours in children and paediatric musculoskeletal/ sports injuries including scoliosis. She is specialized in treating musculoskeletal conditions in both children and women, including idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents and had specialized training in Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercises - Schroth method by Rigo concept school. She believes and advocates exercises for scoliotic patients of all ages to help improve their posture and function. She is also actively involved in promoting evidence based practice among allied health professionals within her cluster and institution.

Speaker: Ms Farha Nisha Nashruddin Kuma, Principal Physiotherapist, Women & Children’s Centre by Physio & Sole Clinic

Topic title: Physiotherapy scoliosis-specific exercises

Biography: Ms Farha is a partner and principal physiotherapist with Physio & Sole Clinic, working with musculoskeletal patients with a large majority of her clinical caseload being scoliosis patients of all ages. She has been treating scoliosis patients since 2013. Her special interest developed while she was still working in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH). She was part of the team that pioneered the Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercise Programme in KKH. In her time there, she advocated for a more comprehensive conservative management programme for children with scoliosis. She was subsequently sent for training in the United States and Netherlands, to learn from clinical experts who managed scoliosis conservatively with specific exercise methods.  Farha is certified in the SpineCor exercise method, Schroth (BSPTS Level 1 and Level 2), the SpiralStabilization Exercise Method and a rehabilitation Pilates instructor.

Speaker: Mr Nigel Wong Yong Jie, Lead of the paediatric prosthetics and orthotics, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Topic title: Bracing for scoliosis

Biography: Mr Nigel Wong graduated from University of Strathclyde, and he has been working in KKH as a Prosthetist or Orthotist since 2018 with a specific focus in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. He is the lead of the paediatric prosthetics and orthotics service in KKH, and a member of the International Society of Prosthetics & Orthotics (SG). He is also certified in 3D Rigo-Chéneau Brace, BSPTS Rigo Concept Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercise Level 1. He has been invited to give talks overseas on the conservative management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and is involved in several projects on improving the care provision for those with this condition.