All spines contain natural curves, but scoliosis causes abnormal S or C-shaped curves that make the spine appear crooked. It often affects either the middle (thoracic) or lower back (lumbar) section of the spine.
Scoliosis is usually painless, going undetected until a screening at school or with a health care provider catches it. Furthermore, this condition often runs in families.
Causes
Scoliosis typically appears as a mild curve during childhood and usually doesn’t cause any discomfort; doctors regularly monitor it with x-rays to see if its worsening; children with mild cases may wear braces to keep it at bay.
Idiopathic scoliosis is the most prevalent form of scoliosis. With no known cause and often occurring before or during birth or adolescence, it affects more girls than boys.
Other causes of scoliosis may include neurological conditions like cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy; birth defects affecting bones in the spine (like spina bifida); spinal injuries or infections that damage nerves; degenerative scoliosis can also cause spine-related symptoms like back or leg pain if bone spurs or disc herniations press against nerves – doctors may recommend surgical solutions if noninvasive treatment methods don’t relieve discomfort and other symptoms effectively.
Symptoms
Normal spines appear straight from both front and back views; however, those affected with scoliosis have curved spines which appear leaning toward one side. Curves may range from mild and non-painful to moderate or severe curves which cause difficulty breathing, discomfort and difficulty walking. Most children and teenagers with mild curves do not exhibit symptoms, though as the curve worsens they may become self-conscious of their appearance as well as have trouble walking or participating in sports; teachers or coaches may first recognize issues as problems.
Scoliosis can be identified through several signs and tests, most notably an unusual curve in the spine, but there may also be other indicators and tests. A doctor can use an X-ray to check for spinal curvature while CT and MRI imaging techniques provide 3-D images of spine bones which may show bone spurs, fractures or slippage of vertebrae – providing more details of an accurate picture than simply looking at two pictures at once.
Diagnosis
Scoliosis can often be diagnosed when children or adolescents visit their health care provider for a physical exam, during which the provider will examine their spine, ribcage and hips as well as inquire into recent growth or whether there is a family history. Scoliosis sufferers may also receive an X-ray to measure how far the curvature extends in their spine.
An X-ray can reveal whether one shoulder blade is more prominent than the other and whether or not your rib cage protrudes forward or backward. A computed tomography scan (CT or CAT scan) is often necessary to ascertain the severity of spinal curvatures and identify potential sources of pain.
Most people with mild scoliosis do not require treatment, but their curves should be monitored over time. Adolescents should visit their physician every four to six months during adolescence (unless symptoms are severe). This will allow the physician to decide whether a brace needs to be worn until growth stops, or surgery might be needed in order to correct scoliosis.
Treatment
If a child has mild scoliosis, their doctor may advise wearing a brace to keep the curve from worsening as their bones develop and mature. A curve that worsens could cause back pain or make breathing difficult; with ongoing wear-and-tear on their bones.
Your doctor will conduct an X-ray exam of your spine in order to analyze its shape. They’ll also take note of how it moves when bending forward and ensure your nerves are working efficiently.
Surgery should only be recommended for kids who have very severe scoliosis that has not responded to bracing and other treatments, like expandable rods. When treating young children, their physician may attach one or two expandable rods along their curve, which can then be lengthened every 3-6 months through spinal decompression or through surgery. They may also perform minimally invasive techniques that use smaller incisions and special imaging tools during spinal fusion surgery to minimize tissue damage and speed recovery time.