INFORMATION ON SCOLIOSIS

The word scoliosis comes from a Greek word meaning crooked. A curved spine can cause someone's body to tilt to the left or right. And many kids with scoliosis have one shoulder blade that's higher than the other or an uneven waist with a tendency to lean to one side. These problems may be noticed when a kid is trying on new clothes. If one pant leg is shorter than the other, a kid might have scoliosis. It's also possible that the kid does not have scoliosis, but one leg may be slightly shorter than the other. For a small number of people, the curve gets worse as they grow and they may need a brace or an operation to correct it. Scoliosis of greater than 25 degrees has been reported in about 1.5/1000 persons in the United States.

SYNONYMS OF SCOLIOSIS

Synonyms and related keywords:
1. Thoracic scoliosis.
2. Thoracolumbar scoliosis.
3. Lumbar scoliosis.
4. Late onset scoliosis.
5. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
6. Infantile idiopathic scoliosis.

CAUSES OF SCOLIOSIS

In 80 to 85 percent of people, the cause of scoliosis is unknown; this is called idiopathic scoliosis. Scoliosis is often first noticed just before and during adolescence, during a growth spurt. Growth is the biggest risk factor for worsening of an existing curve.

Other causes are:
1. Curves in girls are more likely to worsen than curves in boys.
2. The younger the child when scoliosis appears, the greater the chance the curve will worsen.
3. The greater the curve angle, the higher the likelihood that it will worsen.
4. Curves in the middle to lower spine are less likely to progress than those in the upper spine.
5. Spinal problems at birth.
6. Hereditary conditions that tend to run in families.
7. Differences in leg lengths.
8. Injury.
9. Infection.
10. Tumors.

SYMPTOMS OF SCOLIOSIS

Symptoms of Scoliosis are:
1. Spinal curvature.
2. Sideways curvature of the spine.
3. Sideways body posture.
4. One shoulder raised higher than the other.
5. Clothes not hanging properly.
6. Local muscular aches.
7. Local ligament pain.

DIAGNOSIS OF SCOLIOSIS

The physician makes the diagnosis of scoliosis with a complete medical history of the adolescent, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.

Other test are:
1 X-Rays.
2 Magnetic resonance imaging.
3 Computed tomography scan.

TREATMENT OF SCOLIOSIS

Most children with scoliosis have mild curves less than 20 degrees and probably won’t need a brace or surgery. Periodic checkups are needed, though; to be sure the curve doesn’t progress. Treatment decisions depend on your child's age, how much he or she is likely to grow and the degree and pattern of the curve. Kids who are still growing need checkups every three to six months to see if there have been changes in the curvature of their spines. While there are guidelines for mild, moderate and severe curves, there is a range in which you may have a choice among treatments.