ScoliosisScoliosis

By: Jessica KocaBy: Jessica Koca

What is scoliosis?What is scoliosis?

• Scoliosis is the most common Scoliosis is the most common deformity of the spine.deformity of the spine.

• The diagnosis of scoliosis is made The diagnosis of scoliosis is made when there are two when there are two abnormalities of the spine:abnormalities of the spine:

• Lateral CurvatureLateral Curvature• RotationRotation

Lateral CurvatureLateral Curvature

• A lateral curvature of the spine is A lateral curvature of the spine is where the vertebral column bends where the vertebral column bends from side-to-side.from side-to-side.

• If looking at an individual from If looking at an individual from behind while they bend to touch behind while they bend to touch their toes, you will notice an S-their toes, you will notice an S-shaped curvature of the spine.shaped curvature of the spine.

Rotation Rotation

• The rotational aspect of scoliosis The rotational aspect of scoliosis causes a twisting deformity of the causes a twisting deformity of the vertebral bodies. vertebral bodies.

• Lateral curvatures of the spine Lateral curvatures of the spine less than 10 degrees are within less than 10 degrees are within the limits of normal. the limits of normal.

What Causes ScoliosisWhat Causes Scoliosis

• In 80 to 85 percent of people, the In 80 to 85 percent of people, the cause of scoliosis is unknown; also cause of scoliosis is unknown; also called idiopathic scoliosis. called idiopathic scoliosis.

• There are four types of idiopathic There are four types of idiopathic scoliosis:scoliosis:• Infantile (birth to 3 years)Infantile (birth to 3 years)• Juvenile (3years to puberty)Juvenile (3years to puberty)• Adolescent (at or just after puberty)Adolescent (at or just after puberty)• Adult (over age 20)Adult (over age 20)

Infantile (birth to 3 Infantile (birth to 3 years) years)

• Infantile scoliosis is found in children Infantile scoliosis is found in children age 2 months to 3 years. age 2 months to 3 years.

• Most cases of infantile scoliosis are Most cases of infantile scoliosis are relatively minor and tend to resolve relatively minor and tend to resolve spontaneously. spontaneously.

• Observation is usually appropriate Observation is usually appropriate treatment. However if there is continued treatment. However if there is continued progression of the deformity, then progression of the deformity, then surgical treatment may be necessary.surgical treatment may be necessary.

Juvenile (3 years to Juvenile (3 years to puberty)puberty)

• Juvenile scoliosis occurs in the 3 to Juvenile scoliosis occurs in the 3 to 10 year old age group. 10 year old age group.

• Juvenile scoliosis often requires Juvenile scoliosis often requires treatment because the deformity treatment because the deformity (curve) is at a high risk of (curve) is at a high risk of progression. progression.

• About 70% of patients with juvenile About 70% of patients with juvenile scoliosis will require treatment.scoliosis will require treatment.

Adolescent (at or just Adolescent (at or just after puberty) after puberty)

• Adolescent scoliosis may require Adolescent scoliosis may require treatment if the deformity (curve) treatment if the deformity (curve) is at a high risk of progression. is at a high risk of progression.

• Treatment may consist of a brace Treatment may consist of a brace or surgery. or surgery.

• If the curve is not too severe, If the curve is not too severe, simple observation may be simple observation may be sufficient. sufficient.

Adult (over age 20) Adult (over age 20)

• Adult scoliosis tends to be more Adult scoliosis tends to be more symptomatic than its childhood symptomatic than its childhood counterpart. counterpart.

• The cause of adult scoliosis is variable, The cause of adult scoliosis is variable, most commonly idiopathic, or unknown. most commonly idiopathic, or unknown.

• Other causes of adult scoliosis include Other causes of adult scoliosis include neuromuscular diseases, degenerative neuromuscular diseases, degenerative processes (osteoporosis of the spine), processes (osteoporosis of the spine), trauma, or surgery. trauma, or surgery.

Diagnose of scoliosisDiagnose of scoliosis

• The doctor takes the following The doctor takes the following steps to evaluate a patient for steps to evaluate a patient for scoliosis:scoliosis:• Medical historyMedical history• Physical examinationPhysical examination• X-ray evaluationX-ray evaluation• Curve measurementCurve measurement

TreatmentsTreatments

• The three basic scoliosis treatment The three basic scoliosis treatment options are as follows: options are as follows: • ObservationObservation• BracingBracing• SurgerySurgery

ObservationObservation

• Patients are observed when the Patients are observed when the curvature of the spine is minimal.curvature of the spine is minimal.

• When observed, patients are seen When observed, patients are seen by a spine specialist about every by a spine specialist about every six months until skeletal maturity six months until skeletal maturity is reached. is reached.

BracingBracing

• Braces will help control any Braces will help control any worsening of a spine curvature, but worsening of a spine curvature, but do little to correct an existing do little to correct an existing deformity. deformity.

• Bracing is most effective for scoliosis Bracing is most effective for scoliosis treatment when used in children that treatment when used in children that are rapidly growing and have are rapidly growing and have worsening scoliosis curves. worsening scoliosis curves.

SurgerySurgery

Surgery is often the best options for Surgery is often the best options for more severe curves.more severe curves.

Depending on the site of the curve Depending on the site of the curve and the degree of curvature, the and the degree of curvature, the surgeon will fuse vertebrae in a surgeon will fuse vertebrae in a more normal anatomic position. more normal anatomic position.

Other ways to treat Other ways to treat scoliosisscoliosis

• Chiropractic ManipulationChiropractic Manipulation• Electrical StimulationElectrical Stimulation• Nutritional SupplementationNutritional Supplementation• ExerciseExercise