Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a side-to-side (lateral) curve of the spine. It also affects the muscles and ligaments connected to the spine. Scoliosis usually is first identified in persons during adolescence or even earlier. Scoliosis is more likely to affect girls than boys, but specialists do not know why. Most cases of scoliosis are classified as idiopathic, meaning the causes are unknown.

Much of the deformity resulting from scoliosis can be prevented if the disease is detected early. Many schools test students between 10 and 15 years old for scoliosis symptoms such as unleveled hips or shoulders, a prominent shoulder blade, or a hump on the back.

Scoliosis is diagnosed easily with X-rays and once it is confirmed, regular spine-care is necessary to determine its progression. Usually, it is limited to wearing a corrective back brace and special exercises to stabilize a moderate spinal curve. Mild cases are simply examined regularly to make sure they do not become worse, and in some cases, the condition can even be reversed.

Many people have some form of scoliosis, however only a small percentage needs surgical treatment if scoliosis continues to progress.

Scoliosis progression can result the vertebras rotate, causing the ribs to crowd together on one side of the chest and to spread apart on the opposite side. This complication may interfere with the heart, lungs, and nervous system over a period of years.

The surgical option to treat scoliosis is to straighten and fuse the vertebrae in the area of the curve. Almost all normal activities can be resumed after surgical treatment.