SCOLIOSIS DEFINITION

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. While the spinal curving appears to be a “C” shape or an “S” shape on X-rays, it actually is a three-dimensional twisting. About 20 million Americans are affected by scoliosis in some form. There are three general causes of scoliosis:

• Congenital – this is a problem with the formation of vertebrae present at birth or developed early in infancy.
• Neuromuscular – this is spinal twisting or curving caused by poor muscle control or weakness due to diseases such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida or (rarely) polio.
• Idiopathic – while this is the most common form of scoliosis and appears most frequently among adolescent girls, its origin is unknown; it is believed to be related to congenital scoliosis, because family history is a factor. These are sub-classified as infantile, juvenile, adolescent, and adult.

Testing for Scoliosis

Most people who matriculated through the American public education system are familiar with the scoliosis tests performed on middle school and junior high school students: A health care practitioner checks your back for an abnormal curve, which could be a sign of early scoliosis development. Other tests used to diagnose scoliosis include:

• Scoliometer – a device that measures the curvature of the spine.
• Spinal X-rays – taken from the front and the side to provide visual evidence of spinal curvature.
• MRI – magnetic resonance imaging, used to search for neurological dysfunction if an abnormality is revealed by an X-ray.

Treatment for Scoliosis

Treatment for scoliosis depends on the severity of the curvature, the expected rate of growth in the patient, and whether the curvature is interfering with neural activity or causing chronic pain. Bracing is recommended with curvature of greater than 25 degrees. While a back brace won’t reverse the curve, it may help straighten the spine. Fusion surgery and post-surgical bracing may be recommended for curvature of 40 degrees or greater.