Health 3011
Fact Sheet
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a condition that causes irregular curvatures of the spine, or backbone. The etiology of scoliosis can be:
• Congenital- meaning that the patient was born with the spine being curved and the failure of the vertebrae to individual form or separate.
• Neuromuscular- meaning that scoliosis is a result of another disorder. These disorders include cerebral palsy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and spina bifida
• Idiopathic- meaning that the cause of the scoliosis is unknown. Idiopathic Scoliosis is the most commonly seen type and it is divided into three different age groups know as infantile (birth and two years), juvenile (3-10 years) and adolescent (11-17 years). How …show more content…
Instead of prevention, professionals focus on increasing strength, flexibility, and motions of individuals. Doctors will normally refer patients to physical therapy and water therapy if they feel it will help an individual get back strength. Doctors also recommend getting your daily dose of vitamin D, as it helps build strong bones. Exercise can also increase the muscles in your back and help relieve some pain of the scoliosis.
What are the symptoms of Scoliosis?
There are many different signs and symptoms that relate to Scoliosis. They include:
Shoulders being uneven, Head is not centered with the body, one or both hips are relatively high, rib cage is not symmetrical, the waist is uneven, the skin over the spine continuously changes, and the body leans more towards one side. “About 23 percent of people with idiopathic scoliosis are presented with back pain when diagnosed. The curvature can normally be classified in to two different categories: the “S-shaped” or the “C-Shaped”.
What complications can result from untreated …show more content…
Of every 1,000 children in the U.S., three to five will develop spinal curves that are considered severe enough to need treatment. In order to treat scoliosis, the doctor focuses on the following categories: location, shape, pattern, and causes. They also take into consideration the age, future growth, and type of scoliosis before recommending a treatment. Treatments include:
1. Observation- which requires an examination every 6 months due to the spine still growing.
2. Bracing- which halts the curvature from worsening. This treatment is typically for individuals who are still growing and that have a spine curve of 25-30 degrees.
3. Surgery- this approach is normally taken when the spine curve is 45 degrees or worse. The doctor will consult the patient prior to surgery and go over the surgical option that is best for their back. Most surgeries to correct scoliosis require a metal rod to be installed in the back to help align the