Movement Related Biomechanics in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Review of Reviews

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is usually defined and managed using static radiographic descriptors, yet these do not fully capture how the deformity is expressed during movement. This review of reviews aimed to synthesise review level evidence on gait and movement related biomechanics in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. A structured PubMed search identified 729 records published between 1 January 2020 and 14 April 2026. Review level screening yielded 93 potentially relevant articles, of which 8 published reviews were included in a narrative synthesis. Across the included reviews, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was consistently associated with differences in gait, pelvic and trunk motion, balance, postural control, muscle activation, loading patterns, and spinal mobility. Broader contextual reviews also highlighted uncertainty around physical activity, substantial variation in brace biomechanics, and the limited clinical translation of modelling approaches. Although the evidence base remains heterogeneous, the overall pattern suggests that adolescent idiopathic scoliosis should not be understood only as a static structural deformity. The current literature supports the need for movement informed assessment that complements radiographic classification and better reflects functional presentation, treatment effects, and clinical decision making.