2. What is?
The word "scoliosis"
comes from a Greek
word meaning crooked.
Approximately 3 out of
every 100 people have
some form of scoliosis,
but for many of them is
not a problem
3. Scoliosis is a deviation of the spine viewed
from front, causing a curve, which is
accompanied by rotation of the vertebral
bodies and the appearance of a bump.
Curves of more than 10 ° are abnormal and
children in growing process can progress to
cause significant functional problems.
4. Who usually has it?
People may have scoliosis at any age. The
most common type is idiopathic, or of
unknown origin scoliosis among children 10 to
12 years and early adolescence. It is at this
age that children grow quickly. Girls are more
prone to this type of scoliosis than boys.
5. Causes
There are many causes of scoliosis, including
congenital deformities of the spine (present
at birth, whether inherited or caused by the
environment), genetic conditions,
neuromuscular problems and uneven limb
length. Other causes for scoliosis include
cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular
dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy and
tumors. Over 80% of all scoliosis cases,
however, has no known cause
6. Symptoms
Symptoms of scoliosis vary with each person.
Shoulders at different heights
Head not centered directly above the pelvis
Appearance of high, prominent hip
Rib cages at different heights
Unequal waist
Changes in the appearance or texture of the
skin overlying the spine
Support the body on one side
7. Diagnosis
A doctor can diagnose scoliosis with a
diagnostic test such as an x-ray, spinal x-ray,
CT scan or MRI of the spine. The curvature of
the spine is measured and expressed in
degrees. Generally, a curve is considered
significant if greater than 25 to 30 degrees.
Curves exceeding 45 to 50 degrees are
considered severe.
8. Treatment
To treat scoliosis, a doctor will take into
account the severity of the curvature of the
back, age and other factors (eg, physical
state). If the curve needs to be corrected,
usually the first option is a non-surgical
treatment such as the use of a corset.
