Background: Social media presents an opportunity to analyze popular opinion about patient experiences. Idiopathic scoliosis is a spinal pathology commonly identified in younger patients who are the largest users of social media.
Objective: To analyze posts on the social media platform, TikTok, to better understand the scoliotic patient condition.
Methods: TikTok posts were searched manually by screening for "#Scoliosis." Variables assessed included number of likes, conveyed tone, gender, activities of daily living, incisional scar, imaging, involved spine level, spinal curvature, pain, formal physical therapy, multiple operations/reoperation, brace use, self-image, mobility, and educational/awareness posts. Number of responses per category were evaluated for the total they represented and the percentage of available posts containing those elements. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each collected variable.
Results: More posts were positive than negative (P < 0.001) and from female users than male users (P < 0.001). Self-image was the most prevalent subject, with many posts not mentioning activities of daily living, incisional scars, imaging, pain, physical therapy, timing, awareness/education, or involved spine levels.
Conclusions: More females post about scoliosis than males, with most posts containing positive self-image-related themes. This may represent a positive public attitude about scoliosis; however, further research is needed.
Keywords: Scoliosis; TikTok; scoliosis perception; social media; spinal fusion.
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