Description of Scoliosis
Scoliosis is curvature of the spine or abnormal side-to-side curves on the spine. It affects 2 percent of women and 1/2 percent of men, but mostly young children are prone to scoliosis. Schools screen for scoliosis in the fifth and sixth grade. The examiner will look for a hump in the back, a crooked back, uneven shoulders or shoulder blades that protrude, one hip higher than the other hip and a slight forward leaning position. The rib cage may stick out more on one side than the other side and there may be noticeable skin folds around the waist.
Causes of Scoliosis
Causes of scoliosis include congenital spine deformities, spinal muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, genetics and tumors. According to iScoliosis.com, over 80 percent of cases have no known cause (idiopathic). The most common age group affected by scoliosis is young adults entering puberty, called adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, or AIS. At this age, the body is changing rapidly, which may affect the spine. Deformities in the body may cause curvature of the spine. Unequal leg length and muscle spasms may cause the spine to curve. If the bones in the spine do not form completely or fuse together, it can result in scoliosis.
Adults may develop scoliosis as they age. Changes in the spine because of arthritis may cause a curvature. Pain from a spine tumor called osteoid osteoma can cause the patient to lean in another position to alleviate the pain, and the result may be scoliosis. Anyone with a family history of scoliosis is at a greater risk of developing curvature of the spine (see Resources below).
Treatment for Scoliosis
There are three common treatments for scoliosis: observation, bracing and surgery. For functional scoliosis where the curvature is the result of another problem, the treatment focuses on the original issue. Neuromuscular scoliosis is abnormal development of the bones in the spine. The treatment is surgery. Doctors usually observe infantile idiopathic scoliosis because the infant may grow out of the condition. Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis is treated with either braces or surgery depending upon the severity. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is treated with observation, bracing or surgery depending upon the severity. For adults who have degenerative scoliosis, the treatment is physical therapy and exercise.
There is no known cure for scoliosis and there is no prevention. People live normal lives with curvature of the spine. Early screening for children can prevent more curvature.
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