No spine is perfectly straight, but a scoliosis sufferer's spine will have an abnormally large curve measuring 10 degrees or more.
The sideways curvature of the spine can lead to pain, reduced mobility, muscular imbalance, and in severe cases, compromised breathing. Having a visibly curved spine can also damage the patient's self-confidence, resulting in a negative body image.
1. What causes scoliosis?
In roughly 80 percent of cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown - this is referred to as idiopathic scoliosis. Idiopathic scoliosis usually develops during adolescence, when the body is growing rapidly due to the onset of puberty; most scoliois sufferers are diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 15 years. However, the condition can also develop earlier or later in life.
Aside from idiopathic scoliosis, a curved spine can also be caused by other conditions such as cerebral palsy and Marfan syndrome.
2. What are the symptoms to look out for?
Symptoms of scoliosis include leaning to one side, one shoulder blade appearing more prominent than the other, and uneven shoulders, hips and/or legs. While scoliosis is often accompanied by back pain, this alone is not a sure sign of scoliosis - back pain may be caused by any number of factors besides a curved spine.
3. How can you test for it?
A simple test to check for scoliosis is to ask the person to bend forward from the waist, whilst standing behind them and see if one side of their ribcage appears to be more raised than the other (see illustration). If an indication for scoliosis is detected using this test, it is worth visiting your General Practitioner to have this verified and to make a formal diagnosis.
4. What treatment options are available?
If the patient is a child and their body is still developing, the first course of action is usually to monitor the condition and take regular X-rays to find out whether the curve is progressing, diminishing, or staying the same - quite often, the curved spine will correct itself as the child grows.
If treatment is deemed necessary, there are several options, including spinal fusion surgery (a procedure that reduces the curve and 'fuses' the spine in place to prevent further progression) and bracing (where the patient wears a rigid back brace to stop the curve getting any worse).
Additionally, many scoliosis sufferers have found physiotherapy to be an effective treatment for their condition; exercise-based programmes can help to relieve pain, improve mobility, and reduce the Cobb angle (the angle of the spine's curve). Some patients attend exercise-based courses to complement the treatments mentioned above, while other scoliosis sufferers find that physiotherapy alone is enough to significantly improve their quality of life and eliminate the need for surgery.
For more information, contact the Scoliosis SOS Clinic.
