Scoliosis is a spinal deformity that causes a lateral S- or C-shaped curvature. It affects up to 25% of people, but the most severe form only affects about 3%. Girls are more likely to develop scoliosis than boys. Treatment can include a back brace or corrective surgery. Early detection and treatment can control the effects of scoliosis.
Scoliosis is a spinal deformity that causes a lateral S- or C-shaped curvature. Many people don’t have perfectly straight spines, but doctors tend to wait for the curvature to exceed ten degrees to diagnose scoliosis. A 10° spinal deviation is not easily detected: it can only appear as a slight flexion of one shoulder or a slightly uneven waistline. Some people may have up to 30° of deviation without noticeable pain. A C-curve is more common than an S-curve. The S-shape typically forms when the spine tries to self-correct the original deviation of the C-shape.
Some reports show that up to 25% of people have scoliosis, but the most severe form only affects about 3%. Most accidents are idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown. Girls, especially those in the prepubertal growth stage, are much more likely to develop scoliosis than boys. This may be related to the first growth spurts experienced by girls, usually between the ages of 10 and 14. Adult onset scoliosis is rare. Neuromuscular conditions such as MS or extremely poor posture can lead to a pronounced curvature of the spine.
Most people with scoliosis either outgrow the condition or undergo successful corrective surgery. Treatment can also take the form of a back brace for those patients who are still growing. The brace is intended to encourage a straighter path for the developing spine to follow, but it won’t necessarily correct any existing curvature. A common surgical practice for severe cases involves fusing multiple vertebrae together to correct the patient’s posture and prevent further twisting or bending. Chiropractic treatments like spinal manipulations don’t seem to have very high success rates.
Scoliosis can seem more scary than it really is. Unless the degree of curvature is very pronounced, many children and adults may never realize that something is wrong. Many schools offer free scoliosis screenings for younger students, usually around eighth grade, with any positive results reported directly to parents. A GP may also be able to test young patients for any lateral deviations of the spine. If the condition is discovered early and corrective actions are taken, the effects of scoliosis can be controlled if left untreated.
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