Scoliosis

Scoliosis causes a sideways curve of your backbone, or spine. These curves are often S- or C-shaped. Scoliosis is most common in late childhood and the early teens, when children grow fast. Girls are more likely to have it than boys. It can run in families. Symptoms include leaning to one side and having uneven shoulders and hips.

Sometimes the curve is temporary. It might be due to muscle spasms, inflammation or having different leg lengths. A birth defect, tumor or another disease might cause the spine to have a curve that isn't temporary. People with mild scoliosis might only need checkups to see if the curve is getting worse. Others might need to wear a brace or have surgery.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Scoliosis on Wikipedia

'''Scoliosis''' is a disease which involves a lateral curvature of the vertebral column; that is, the spine is bent sideways. Scoliosis is incurable, but its natural course can be affected with treatments such as surgery or back braces.

Prevalence

Scoliosis curves greater than 10° affect 2-3% of the population, often children between the ages of seven and ten, with a greater incidence among girls. Curves greater that 20° affect about 1 in 2500 people. Different etiologic theories point to genetic, neuromuscular, hormone and growth factors, though it appears that the cause is multifactorial. The vast majority of cases (85%) have unknown causes or are idiopathic. In one out of every 1000 cases, surgery may be necessary. Females are 9 times more likely to require treatment than males, mostly since they are also more likely to have larger, progressive curves.

Symptoms

Those with scoliosis rarely complain of pain, and their condition is often discovered incidentally. During a visit, a physician should be careful to take a family history and good medical history, and perform a proper physical examination. The symptoms of scoliosis are: *Prominent shoulder blade *Uneven hip and shoulder levels. *Unequal distance between arms and body *Clothes that do not "hang right" *Muscle mass that causes a "hump" on one side of the vertebral column *A rib "hump" Shoulders that have a lack of spine reinforcement can hurt if large amounts of weight are placed upon them.

Associated conditions

Scoliosis is often associated with other conditions such as neuromuscular disorders (''e.g.'', cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, Freiderichs ataxia); skeletal dysplasias; neurofibromatosis; connective tissue disorders; and craniospinal axis disorders (''e.g.'', syringomyelia).

Investigation

Those suspected of having scoliosis should ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Bone Health - Recommended books for osteoporosis and osteopenia prevention and treatment. May also be helpful for other defective bone conditions such as osteomalacia, rickets, pectus excavatum, pectus carnitum, fractures and scoliosis.

Milwaukee Brace - The first effective device for the conservative treatment of scoliosis.

Biorthex - Orthopedic products and devices. Brace for idiopathic scoliosis; new spinal implant to correct spinal disorders without fusion.

How To Prove Spinal Disability - Your one stop source for spinal disability evaluations, functional capacity assessments, ask the doctor, scoliosis, spine information, disability facts and business help or check out current news and contact information.

Orthospine - This New York clinic provides good quality information on a range of back problems, including, scoliosis and herniated disc.

Scoliosis Research Society Home Page - A non profit organization dedicated to education, research, and treatment of spinal deformity.

Scoliosis World - Scoliosis web directory with message board, chat and scoliosis related polls.

Scoliosis - Information, and resources to help understand and treat this common disorder.

Scoliosis Information - Offers information on aspects of the condition, diary of a patient, treatment options, and resources where help can be found.

KeepKidsHealthy - A definition of Scoliosis, an abnormal curve to the spine, followed by an article and resources.