Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine curves to the side. This is a change from the normal curve of the spine, which functions to keep the head stacked over the torso and hips. While everyone has normal curves in the spine, scoliosis causes an S-shaped or C-shaped curve in the spine that shouldn’t be there. The abnormal curve can occur on either side of the spine and in different places along the length of the spine.
Most cases of scoliosis are diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence and monitored as the person continues to grow. While many cases are mild and never require treatment, some impair daily functions of living or even the ability of a person to breathe.
There are a wide range of signs that a person may have scoliosis. If you notice one or more of these symptoms in yourself or someone close to you, you should consider seeing a doctor.
Scoliosis doesn’t have one single cause. Idiopathic scoliosis represents the wide majority of cases, meaning that most people with scoliosis don’t know why they have it. Idiopathic diseases are diseases that arise without any kind of obvious cause. Some babies are born with spinal deformities that cause scoliosis. This is known as congenital scoliosis. Lastly, some cases of scoliosis are secondary to diseases like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, diseases of the brain that also affect the muscles of the spine.
Risk factors for scoliosis include:
A medical provider will diagnose scoliosis based on a combination of medical history, physical abnormalities, and imaging studies. In children, physicians often have the person bend forward to see if there are any visible abnormalities. A doctor may also perform a routine neurological exam. To confirm any potential problems seen in a physical exam, a physician will have image testing done. An X-ray will allow a provider to confirm the diagnosis of scoliosis, and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan may be done if a doctor suspects that there is another condition causing the scoliosis.
Complications with scoliosis usually occur in only the worst cases. These can include:
The treatment approach to scoliosis will depend on the sex of the person, their skeletal maturity, and how large the curves are. Larger curves are likely to become worse with time.
Scoliosis is treated with braces or surgery. Braces are recommended for growing children who aren’t in need of surgery. The braces help keep the curves in the spine from getting any worse than they already are and are usually used until the child reaches skeletal maturity.
Surgery aims to completely straighten the spine and is used for patients with more severe curves. Severe curves only become more painful and difficult to live with over time, often making surgery the best treatment option.