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Scoliosis

Medical Animation - Scoliosis

Scoliosis

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is the side to side curvature of the spine. Every spine has a natural front to back curve. A side to side curve may look like an “S” (double curve) or a “C” (single curve).

Scoliosis is more than just a curve to the side. The scoliotic spine is also twisted or rotated.

What is the cause of Scoliosis?

***80% of the cases do not have a cause or they are “idiopathic”

  • Congenital Deformities
  • Genetic Syndromes
  • Neuromuscular problems
  • Limb length inequality
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Spina Bifida
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy
  • Tumors

What are the warning signs of Scoliosis?

  • Shoulder height difference
  • Head is not centered over body
  • Hip asymmetry
  • Rib cage asymmetry
  • Changes in look or textures of the skin overlying the spine ( hairy patches, color changes)
  • Leaning of entire body on one side

What questions will the Orthopedic Surgeon ask?

  • Age?
  • Who noted the problem?
  • Patient’s perinatal history?
  • Meet on normal milestones?
  • Family history of scoliosis? Back problems?
  • Pain?
  • Numbness/ tingling in legs?
  • Bowel or Bladder problems?

What are the types of Scoliosis?

  1. Infantile: 3 and under
  2. Juvenile: 3-9
  3. Adolescent: 10-18
  4. Adult after Skeletal Maturity

What is the treatment for Scoliosis?

1) Observation

  • curves under 20 degrees require observation
  • x-rays once every 6months until done growing

2) Bracing

  • curves 25-45 degrees
  • prevention of spine curvature worsening
  • visits every 6 months to check spine
  • brace wear is 20 to 24 hours a day until end of growth
  • this is decided by the surgeon
  • braces are a custom fit to your body
  • a thin shirt can be worn underneath the brace to prevent skin breakdown
  • the brace can be hidden under clothes

3) Spine Casting

4) Surgical

What are the effects of scoliosis?

  • Back Pain
  • Cosmetic Appearance
  • Decrease lung capacity and exercise tolerance

What factors determine treatment?

  • age
  • bone age
  • degree of curvature of spine
  • location of curvature
  • when menses was started
  • gender
  • increase of curve
  • back pain
  • shortness of breath