WHAT IS SCOLIOSISScoliosis is a term used to describe abnormal curvatures of the spine. From the side, the spine forms 3 curves at the neck, midback, and lowback. When you look at the spine from the back, it should form a straight line; if it curves, instead, it is called scoliosis
What are the symptoms of scoliosis?The following are the most common symptoms of scoliosis. However, each adolescent may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
• difference in shoulder height
• the head is not centered with the rest of the body
• difference in hip height or position
• difference in shoulder blade height or position
• when standing straight, difference in the way the arms hang beside the body
• when bending forward, the sides of the back appear different in height
Back pain, leg pain, and changes in bowel and bladder habits are not commonly associated with idiopathic scoliosis. A adolescent experiencing these types of symptoms requires further medical evaluation by a physician.
The symptoms of scoliosis may resemble other spinal conditions or deformities, or may be a result of an injury or infection. Always consult your adolescent's physician for a diagnosis.
The most common causes of scoliosis:Congenital. In Congenital cases, scoliosis is caused by a problem with the formation of vertebrae or fused ribs during prenatal development.
Neuromuscular. In Neuromuscular cases, scoliosis is caused by poor muscle control or muscular weakness or paralysis due to diseases like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and polio.
Unknown, In unknown cases, scoliosis appears in a previously straight spine. This is the most common cause in adolescent
What is the treatment for scoliosis?There are generally three available options used in the treatment of scoliosis: observation, bracing, and surgical correction. The majority of scoliosis cases are detected early, and are treated successfully with non-operative methods. Treatment options depend more on how likely it is that the curve will worsen than on the angle of the curve itself. A child with a 20° curve and 4 more years of growth may require treatment while a child with 29° of curvature who has stopped growing may not
require treatment. The treatment of scoliosis depends on the patient's age and sex, the severity of spinal curvature, the location of the curve, the type of scoliosis, and in girls, whether the patient has started to menstruate. The age at which menstruation begins is an important indicator of the stage of bone growth, which helps determine the risk that the disease will progress.