Understanding Scoliosis Types
With scoliosis, the spine can have a single curve in a “C” shape, referred to as c-shaped scoliosis, or it can have two curves in an “S” shape, referred to as S-shaped scoliosis. It’s sporadic for the curves to form a triple formation.
Curves are classified into many different components, including their location in their spine. When the curve occurs in the middle back, it’s called thoracic spine scoliosis; if in the upper back, it’s called cervical spine scoliosis, and if in the lower back, it’s lumbar spine scoliosis.
Congenital scoliosis types affect individuals from birth. It’s typically a result of the spine not developing fully when the child is still in the womb. It can occur due to one or more vertebrae failing to develop properly due to multiple vertebrae being conjoined together.
Idiopathic scoliosis occurs in about 4% of the population and is the most common of all scoliosis types. The term “idiopathic” coins the fact that the condition has no known cause. There are a few categories of this scoliosis type (idiopathic scoliosis):
Infantile Idiopathic Scoliosis:
This is first diagnosed in a child between birth and the age of 3. In some situations, infantile scoliosis in infants resolves itself without treatment. But, we don’t recommend a wait-and-see approach. Therefore, visit us to take proper steps early for better success because if it progresses, they may be a bit difficult to manage. So, start your baby’s non-surgical treatment early enough. Currently, there are various surgical treatment methods, including the insertion of expandable rods to treat the condition.
Juvenile scoliosis spinal curves diagnosed between the ages of 3 and 10—this scoliosis type is less common than adolescent scoliosis but makes up about a fifth of all scoliosis types.
Adolescent scoliosis is a scoliosis type that occurs in young people between the ages of 10 and 18 years, a period characterized by a rapid growth rate of the body. It’s typically diagnosed in almost 80% of idiopathic scoliosis. The detection of the curve should be closely monitored for progression while the skeleton of the child develops.
Pain is a common reason for treatment. When a patient with a developed adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has reached skeletal maturity, they are said to have adult idiopathic scoliosis. Moreover, the normal degenerative changes of the spine may be accelerated by this curvature, and the patient might be at high risk of developing scoliosis pain due to nerve compression.
Degenerative adult scoliosis type often occurs due to degenerative changes that have progressed rapidly, although it can also occur in individuals with no history of scoliosis. Common factors are neglect of a given spinal condition for prolonged periods, fractures that did not heal properly, or osteoporosis. Our clinical teams are your best bet in getting better and avoiding any further degeneration.
Structural scoliosis is a solid fixed curve and must be treated on a case-by-case basis. It can result from congenital disabilities like the hemivertebra, where one side of the vertebra doesn’t normally form in the developing fetus. It can also be caused by certain infections, injuries, tumors, connective tissue disorders, metabolic diseases, or rheumatic diseases. In some cases, this scoliosis type can occur from neuromuscular disorders or unknown factors (idiopathic).
This is a curve of the spine that may not have an associated rotational component. It’s reversible because it’s typically caused by conditions such as muscle spasms, pain, or a difference in leg length. In this form of scoliosis, the spine remains normal, but an abnormal curve exists because there’s a problem in a different part of the body.
Neuromuscular Scoliosis Types
Neuromuscular scoliosis types are associated with neuromuscular conditions that occur during the formation of the spine’s bones. The vertebrae may fail to separate from each other during fetal development. Under this form of scoliosis, patients develop a large “C”-curve in their muscles and cannot hold their spine straight.