Is your school-going child walking with an abnormally hunched back? If yes, then he may have scoliosis – a common spine condition usually found in adolescents. Let’s discuss more about this peculiar spine condition in detail to learn more about its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine that resembles the letter C or S. If the angle of the curve is over 10 degrees on an x-ray, it is said to be scoliosis. It’s generally diagnosed in young children in their early adolescent years.
Signs and Symptoms of Scoliosis
The different signs and symptoms of scoliosis include:
- A visible curve in the back
- Shoulders in an uneven position
- One shoulder blade looks bigger than the other
- Uneven waist
- One hip is higher than the other hip
- One side of the rib cage bulges forward
- One side of the back seems bigger when bending forward
Besides visible signs, scoliosis may cause:
- Lower back pain
- Stiffness in the back
- Pain and numbness in the legs
- Tiredness caused by muscle strain
What Are the Common Types of Scoliosis?
The 4 common types of scoliosis include the following.
Idiopathic Scoliosis
The most common type of scoliosis, no definite cause of idiopathic scoliosis is known. As per research, it seems to be genetically inherited in many cases. It’s generally mild in nature and requires no extensive treatment. Also, it’s 8 times more likely to affect girls as compared with boys.
Congenital Scoliosis
Congenital scoliosis is a rare condition that starts taking effect as a newborn baby’s back begins developing before birth. Issues with the small bones in the back, known as vertebrae, may leave them incomplete or not properly divided. This often leads to a curve in the spine.
Doctors might be able to detect congenital scoliosis at the birth of the child, or it may remain undetected until the child’s early teenage years.
Neuromuscular Scoliosis
Neuromuscular scoliosis is generally a consequence of disorders, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or a spinal cord injury. These disorders can cause muscle damage, making the muscles incapable of supporting the spine in the required manner, resulting in a curved back.
Degenerative Scoliosiså
Featuring a sideways curve in the spine, degenerative scoliosis is caused due to age-related wear and tear of the discs and joints of the spine. It is typically seen in adults and affects the lower back region in most cases.
What Causes Scoliosis?
The primary causes behind the most common scoliosis type (idiopathic scoliosis) remain unknown to date, although hereditary factors seem to have an influence. In other types of scoliosis, however, the following causes are identified.
- Specific neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
- Birth defects impacting the development of bones of the spine
- Genetic disorders such as Marfan syndrome and Down syndrome
- Prior surgery on the chest wall as a baby
- Spinal injuries/infections
- Spinal cord abnormalities
- Tumours
How is Scoliosis Diagnosed?
Scoliosis is diagnosed in the following two ways:
Physical Exam
Most scoliosis cases can be detected through a physical exam. Doctors generally observe the back and look for any spine curvature or uneven shoulders/rib cage/waist while the patient stands still with the arms at the sides and then, bends forward on the doctor’s instruction.
Imaging
Doctors may prescribe any of the following imaging tests to get a better overview of the spine:
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
- Bone Scan
A regular X-ray usually helps diagnose scoliosis and the severity of the curve in the spine.
What Are the Treatment Options for Scoliosis?
As per the severity of the spinal curvature, the treatments for scoliosis differ. Mild curves in children typically don’t require any treatment, with regular monitoring necessary to check for potential worsening.
In cases where the curve is moderate or severe, the following factors are taken into consideration before deciding on treatment:
- Bone Maturity: In children whose bones have stopped growing, there is a lesser risk of curve progression.
- Location of Curve: Experts believe that thoracic curves have a higher probability of progression compared to curves in other spine regions.
- Sex: Girls have an elevated risk of curve progression compared to boys.
After taking into account the above factors, the following treatment options are recommended by doctors:
- Regular observation and monitoring
- Bracing (Wearing a device around the torso that helps prevent the worsening of the curve)
- Surgery (With potential complications, such as bleeding, infection, nerve damage, etc.)
Conclusion
The majority of the cases of scoliosis are mild, with few signs and symptoms to be worried about. However, in severe cases, quick and proper treatment is essential to treat the condition and maintain the quality of life.
