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Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs straight down your back. Everyone's spine naturally curves a tiny bit. But people with scoliosis have a spine that curves too much. Scoliosis mostly affects children.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Scoliosis most often affects girls. Some people are just more likely to have curving of the spine. Curving generally gets worse during a growth spurt.
Other types of scoliosis are:

• Congenital scoliosis: This type of scoliosis is present at birth. It occurs when the baby's ribs or spine bones do not form properly.
• Neuromuscular scoliosis: This type is caused by a nervous system problem that affects your muscles, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and polio.

Symptoms

Usually there are no symptoms. But symptoms can include:

• Backache or low-back pain
• Tired feeling in the spine after sitting or standing for a long time
• Uneven hips or shoulders (one shoulder may be higher than the other)
• Spine curves more to one side
• Kyphoscoliosis is another type of abnormal curving of the spine.

Treatment for Scoliosis

Scoliosis treatment depends on many things:

• The cause of scoliosis
• Where the curve is in your spine
• How big the curve is
• If your body is still growing

Most people with idiopathic scoliosis do not need treatment. However, you should be checked by a doctor about every 6 months. Your doctor might recommend a back brace. A back brace prevents further curving. There are many different types of braces. What kind you get depends on the size and location of your curve. Back braces work best in people over age 10. Braces do not work for those with congenital or neuromuscular scoliosis. Sometimes, surgery is needed.

• Scoliosis surgery involves correcting the curve as much as possible.
• The spine bones are held in place with one or two metal rods, which are held down with hooks and screws until the bone heals together.
• Surgery may be done with a cut through the back, belly area, or beneath the ribs.

After scoliosis operation, you may need to wear a brace for a little while to keep the spine still. You may need surgery if the spine curve is severe or getting worse very quickly. The surgeon may want to wait until all your bones stop growing, but this isn't always possible. Scoliosis treatment may also include:

• Emotional support for children with Scoliosis: Some kids, especially teens, may be self-conscious when using a back brace
• Physical therapy and other scoliosis therapy by specialists to help explain the treatments and make sure the brace fit correctly
• Regular exercises for scoliosis

Complications

Complications of scoliosis can include:

• Breathing problems (in severe scoliosis)
• Low back pain
• Lower self-esteem
• Persistent pain if there is wear and tear of the spine bones
• Spinal infection after surgery
• Spine or nerve damage from an uncorrected curve or spinal surgery

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Authored By: Dr. S. V. Santpure