Scoliosis

What is Scoliosis?

The human body usually shows an S-curve in an X-ray from the side. If there is an S-curve seen from the front or back, scoliosis may be present.

Scoliosis commonly occur in children, but can also be found in adults. While pain is not the main association, the condition can sometimes become serious enough to affect respiratory and heart-related functions.

There are various causes of scoliosis resulting in a similarly shaped curve. Most cases are idiopathic, i.e. without an identifiable cause. Neuromuscular scoliosis usually results in a long C-shape curve and can be severe.

Another type, termed degenerative, can affect the elderly in their lower backs. Osteoporosis, disc degeneration or vertebral compression fractures can have an influence on this condition. Functional scoliosis is where the spine appears to be curved but is actually healthy.

What are the symptoms of Scoliosis?

Scoliosis typically do not show symptoms but they may include:

• Back pains
• Difficulty standing upright
• Weak core muscles
• Leg pain, numbness or weakness

What causes Scoliosis?

Experts do not know what causes the most common type of scoliosis but some factors that may cause scoliosis include:

• Certain conditions that affect your muscles and nerves such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
• Birth conditions that affect how the bones of the spine forms
• Surgery on the chest wall as a baby, surgery to remove bone over the back of the spine

What are the signs of Scoliosis?

• One or both hips raised or perceptibly high
• Uneven shoulders
• Head not centered in relation to pelvis
• Different heights for rib cages
• Uneven waist
• Body leaning to one side overall

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, you may consider contacting your healthcare provider for a screening.

Over time you may notice signs such as:

• Height loss
• Uneven alignment of your pelvis and hip

What complications does Scoliosis cause?

Most form of scoliosis is mild however if it gets worse, scoliosis may sometimes cause complications, such as:

• Breathing problems: The spine may press on the lungs, making it harder to breathe.
• Back problems: People with scoliosis as a child are more likely to experience chronic back pain as adults.
• Changes to the body's looks: As your scoliosis worsens, it may cause changes in the body. Such as hips and shoulders that aren't even or a shift of the waist to one side.

How is Scoliosis diagnosed?

Imaging tests are done with ultrasound or CT scan to check the degree of curvature of the spine and check for related underlying medical conditions.