In a clinical and roentgenographic study of spinal deformities in
sixty-two patients in the later stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, many
patients had marked scoliosis and kyphosis, while others with hyperextended
spines had comparatively little scoliosis. Based on an analysis of the
data, it is suggested that the development of spinal deformity in patients
with Duchenne muscular dystrophy may progress in two ways: one leading to
the early establishment of a position of extension and a maximum intrinsic
stability with minor deformity, and the other leading to progressive
deformity. It was concluded that management for these patients should be
designed to guide the early straight spine toward the late extended pattern
by attempting to prevent kyphosis and pelvic obliquity.