Scoliosis
Alternative Names
Scoliosis, Lateral curvatureWhat is Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine that occur in the neck, chest or in the low back. Scoliosis is a side-to-side curvature of the spine combined with a rotation of the vertebrae. A small degree of lateral curvature does not cause any medical problems whereas larger curves can cause postural disorder and lead to muscle fatigue and pain.
Signs and symptoms
People with scoliosis have the following signs:
- Uneven shoulders
- One prominent shoulder blade
- Uneven waist
- One hip higher than the other
Possible complications
People with scoliosis have the following signs:
- Uneven shoulders
- One prominent shoulder blade in comparison with the other
- Uneven waist
- One hip higher than the other
What causes
Causes of scoliosis are not known. Presumably it appears due to:
- Hereditary factors because the disorder tends to run in families
- Neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
- Birth defects affecting the development of the spine
- Wear-and-tear arthritis in the spine
- Having one leg longer than the other
Prevention
There are no ways to prevent the development of scoliosis but its aggravation may be prevented through bracing or surgery.
Treatment
Most patients with mild forms of scoliosis may not need treatment with a brace or surgery but checkups every four to six months to foresee changes in the spine. Wearing a brace will not treat scoliosis or reverse the curve but it usually prevents further progression of the curve.
Braces are of two main types:
- Underarm or low-profile brace made of modern plastic materials to conform to the body.
- Milwaukee brace that has a neck ring with rests for the chin and for the back of the head.
Scoliosis surgery (spinal fusion) reduces the spinal curve and prevents it from getting worse. Spinal fusion surgery connects two or more of the bones in the spine together with a new bone.
