Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a medical condition in which the human or animal spine has a sideways curve.

scoliosis Intervertibral Disc

Sideways curve

• Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine.
• Everyone has normal curves in the spine, and when looked at from behind, the spine appears straight.

S and C shaped curve

Children and teens with scoliosis have an abnormal S-shaped or C-shaped curve of the spine. The curve can happen on either side of the spine and in different places in the spine.

Scoliosis surgery of severe scoliosis

Cause

In most people, the cause of scoliosis is unknown.

• For most children and teens, the cause of scoliosis is idiopathic.
• Genes.
• Hormones.
• Changes in cell structure.

Secondary causes

• For some children, scoliosis happens when another disease or disorder, or trauma causes the curving spine. These include:

Scoliosis recklinghausen

• Congenital factors, which happen during the development of the spine when the baby is in the womb, leading to a curve in the spine.
• Genetic diseases, which happen when changes occur in one or more genes.
• Injury to the spine, usually from trauma to the spine or back.
• Neuromuscular diseases, which affect the nerves that send messages to muscles, leading to muscle weakness and loss.
• Tumor, which can cause physical changes to the spine.

Risk factors

• Anyone can get scoliosis.
• However, idiopathic scoliosis, which is the most common type, usually occurs in children age 11 and older.
• Girls are more likely than boys to have this type of scoliosis.
• You are more likely to have scoliosis if your parent, brother, or sister has it.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

• Most children and teens with mild scoliosis do not have symptoms or pain.
• Sometimes, the child, teen, or a family member may notice changes in posture, which may be a sign of scoliosis.

Scoliosis brace

Other signs

Cobb angle measurement in scoliosis

• Top of shoulders are uneven.
• One shoulder blade (in the upper back) is more prominent or visible than the other.
• One hip appears higher than the other.
• One side of the rib cage is higher than the other when bending forward.
• If the scoliosis is progressing and the curve is more severe, the changes in the shape of the spine can lead to back pain. If the curve is severe, rarely, some children may develop difficulty breathing.

Diagnosis of Scoliosis

Because most children and teens do not have symptoms, doctors may diagnosis scoliosis during a routine exam. Your child’s doctor may diagnose scoliosis by:

• Taking a medical history and family history, which may include asking about other medical problems that might be causing the curve in the spine.
• Completing a physical examination to evaluate your child’s posture and look for asymmetry in the trunk or shoulders, or if one side of the rib cage is higher than the other when your child bends forward.
• Taking x-rays.
• An x-ray can evaluate and measure the curve of the spine. This information helps the doctor determine the severity of the curve and possible treatments.

Result after scoliosis surgery

Treatment of Scoliosis

Doctors recommend treatment for scoliosis based on:

• The locations of the curve.
• If the curve is mild, moderate, or severe.
• If the curve causes symptoms.
• If your child or teen is still growing.
• The goals of your child’s treatment may include to:

Goals of treatment

• Stop or slow the curve in the spine from progressing.
• Prevent or decrease pain.
• Prevent or manage any respiratory problems that may develop due to the curve.
• Help improve posture.
• Help improve quality of life.

Treatment options

• Observation.
• Bracing.
• Surgery.
• Spinal fusion
• Insertion of an expandable rod.
• Physical therapy.
• Research shows that alternative therapies such as chiropractic treatment, nutritional supplements, and electric stimulation do not help manage scoliosis or keep the curve from getting worse.

Scoliosis Resources
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