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Scoliosis - Scoliosis symptom, treatment, causes

Scoliosis is a condition of abnormal curvature of the spine to one side. Scoliosis may result from congenital disorders of bone formation, or from injuries or disease of the vertebrae, pelvis or hips, or the muscles that support the spine. However, most scoliosis develops during periods of rapid growth in childhood or adolescence and affects 4 per cent of children between 10 and 14, mostly girls.

Scoliosis is a condition that involves complex lateral and rotational curvature and deformity of the spine. The spine curves away from the middle or sideways. Although it usually doesn't cause pain, scoliosis or its treatment can sometimes wound a child's self-esteem. At worst, scoliosis can interfere with the function of organs. It is typically classified as congenital (caused by vertebral anomalies present at birth), idiopathic (sub-classified as infantile, juvenile, adolescent, or adult according to when onset occurred) or as having developed as a secondary symptom of another condition, such as cerebral palsy or spinal muscular atrophy . About 3 out of every 100 people have some form of scoliosis, though for many people it's not much of a problem. 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. Someone with scoliosis may have a back that curves like an "S" or a "C." This type of curve may be noticeable to others and can be uncomfortable. See the X-ray image to get an idea of what scoliosis looks like. No one knows what causes the most common type of scoliosis called idiopathic scoliosis . (Idiopathic is a fancy word for unknown cause .) Doctors do know that scoliosis can run in families. So if a parent, sister, or brother had scoliosis, you might have it, too. Most types of scoliosis are more common in girls than boys, and girls with scoliosis are more likely to need treatment.

Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder in which there is a sideways curvature of the spine, or backbone. The bones that make up the spine are called vertebrae.The spine is an elegant structure from the side it takes the form of an elongated S, the upper back bowing outward and the lower back curving slightly inward. Viewed from behind though, the spine should appear as a straight line from the base of the neck to the tailbone. If your child has scoliosis, the view from behind may reveal one or more abnormal curves. Most cases of scoliosis don't get worse, and periodic checkups may be all that your child needs. Children with more a severe curve that continues to increase, however, may require a brace or surgery. Scoliosis runs in families, but doctors often don't know the cause. More girls get scoliosis than boys. Of every 1,000 children, three to five develop spinal curves that are severe enough to need treatment. Onset of scoliosis rarely occurs in adults. Sometimes, adult scoliosis is a worsening of a condition that began in childhood, but wasn't diagnosed or treated. In other cases, it may result from a degenerative joint condition in the spine.

Causes of Scoliosis

The common Causes of Scoliosis :

• In Congenital cases, scoliosis is caused by a problem with the formation of vertebrae or fused ribs during prenatal development.
• Idiopathic scoliosis is of unknown cause, and appears in a previously straight spine. This is the most common cause in adolescents.
• Neuromuscular scoliosis is caused by problems such as poor muscle control or muscular weakness or paralysis due to diseases such as cerebral palsy , muscular dystrophy , spina bifida, and polio.
• Injury, infection, disease, or birth defects can cause it.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

Early signs may be one shoulder higher than the other or clothes not hanging straight. As the curvature increases, muscular aches develop in areas of strain, followed by more persistent pain as ligaments become damaged. Some common Symptoms of Scoliosis :

• Fatigue.
• Backache or low-back pain.
• The spine curves abnormally to the side (laterally).
• Asymmetric size or location of breast in females
• Clothes that do not "hang right", ie. with uneven hemlines .
• Uneven musculature on one side of the spine .

Treatment of Scoliosis

If scoliosis is slight, no treatment may be needed apart from correcting any obvious cause (for example, by using a built-up shoe if one leg is shorter than the other), and regular checks to make sure that the curvature is not worsening. If this does happen, orthopaedic correction by means of a spinal cast or brace, or occasionally by surgery, is advised to prevent severe disability.

• If your childís curve does get worse, her doctor may have her wear a brace. The brace will fit under her arms and around her rib cage, lower back, and hips.
• If your childís curve continues to get worse, her doctor may suggest doing surgery to straighten her spine.
• Surgery is usually successful.