What is Scoliosis?
Normally, the spine has a distinct “S” curve when viewed from the side and appears straight when viewed from the back. Scoliosis is a progressive condition, characterized by lateral movement of the spine. It compromises the spine’s stability and integrity, causing everything from nerve compression, to posture problems, to altered biomechanics. If left untreated, symptoms caused by scoliosis can become severe and debilitating.
Who’s Affected by Scoliosis?
Scoliosis affects both adults and children in varying degrees of severity. It’s usually more serious in children (congenital) and can become progressively worse during growth and development years if left untreated.
Scoliosis can be diagnosed in children as young as 3 (juvenile scoliosis) and some babies (infantile scoliosis). It’s most commonly diagnosed in youth during years of growth spurts, around ages 11 to 15 (adolescent scoliosis).
For adults, idiopathic scoliosis can occur at any stage of life for a variety of reasons; however, research suggests genetic factors play a role in development. Adults who develop scoliosis usually have prior disc conditions or spinal degeneration as a contributing factor (de novo scoliosis).
How to check for scoliosis
To see if you or a loved one is suffering with scoliosis, click on the button below for a step by step online assessment.
What are the symptoms of scoliosis?
Scoliosis may initially symptom-free, but produce symptoms during periods of physical growth and maturity, such as puberty. Other degenerative conditions can also give way to scoliosis, eroding spine health further and further with age.
Effects of scoliosis include poor posture, shoulder slumping, muscle weakness, pain, range of motion restriction, and disability. In some cases, scoliosis will generate serious lung and heart conditions as the spine compresses against those organs. Less understood are the potential effects of scoliotic compromise of the nervous system, which may result in chronic organ illnesses.
Scoliosis is best detected early and treated immediately. Often, scoliotic curves can be mitigated or improved, and symptoms avoided altogether if treated early enough. If left untreated, scoliosis may progress and require surgery – including spinal fusion in severe cases, which involves inserting rods to straighten the spine. A proactive, conservative approach, such as bracing, may be enough to correct early-stage scoliosis.
In adults, the most common problems caused by scoliosis include pain, poor posture, and — in severe cases — disability. Continued misalignment of the spine will only get worse without proper adjustment, bracing, and treatment. Fortunately, advancements in scoliotic bracing and intensive specialized rehabilitative exercise have greatly improved the prognosis of adult scoliosis patients in recent years.
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Types of Scoliosis
Infantile scoliosis is rare, affecting children younger than 3 years of age. It begins to develop in the first 6 months of life. Like other types of scoliosis, it is characterized by an abnormal sideways S or C curve of the spine. Sometimes, infantile scoliosis can resolve spontaneously; however, it often progresses to a more severe form of scoliosis. Treatment of infantile scoliosis may involve observation, scoliosis specific exercises, bracing, and, as a last resort, surgery.
Juvenile scoliosis affects children between ages three and nine. It’s characterized by the hallmark abnormal sideways S or C curve of the spine. Girls tend to be more susceptible to the condition than boys, and curves tend to bend more often to the right. Interestingly, curves to the left tend to have a better prognosis.
Children with juvenile scoliosis generally have a high risk of progression. Seven out of 10 children with this condition will require active treatment to mitigate its severity and associated risks. Treatment usually requires bracing, and many cases require some form of surgery. Early detection and proper management are recommended for the best outcome.
Adolescent scoliosis affects adolescents and young adults. It’s typically diagnosed by puberty and is more easily diagnosed in girls than boys. Children with adolescent scoliosis tend to be generally healthy outside of posture issues.
This condition has a better prognosis than juvenile scoliosis, but can still progress to a significant deformity if not detected early and properly managed. It is not uncommon for untreated cases of adolescent scoliosis to escalate into chronic back pain and mobility issues.
There are two types of adult scoliosis: Pre-existing, untreated adolescent scoliosis (Adolescent Scoliosis in Adult, or ASA), and the development of scoliosis as a result of spinal degeneration (Degenerative De-Novo Scoliosis or DDS).
Adults with ASA may have a previously diagnosed form of adolescent scoliosis. ASA may be progressive or stable, depending on the individual case. With a previous diagnosis, monitoring progression is easy through comparison of current X-rays and adolescent X-rays. In situations where scoliosis is discovered in adulthood, determining a pre-existing adolescent condition can be difficult.
DDS usually develops in middle-aged and older adults, typically diagnosed around age 45 or older. Because DDS results from degenerative instability, it’s almost always progressive. The most common symptom is chronic lower back pain. Treatment for Adult Scoliosis my involve, bracing, scoliosis specific exercises and chiropractic adjustments.