Scoliosis

What Is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine often diagnosed in childhood. Pediatricians usually screen for scoliosis at yearly checkups by asking patients to bend over to touch their toes so they can perform a visual evaluation of the spine. They also may run their fingers along the spine, looking for unusual bumps or other signs of scoliosis. Because scoliosis usually develops gradually, an early diagnosis is unusual. Children and parents also rarely notice this condition developing; however, it can get worse suddenly during growth spurts.

What Causes Scoliosis?

While scoliosis can be the result of a birth defect such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or muscular dystrophy, most cases of scoliosis have no known origin. Some researchers believe that a genetic component can sometimes be involved.

Is Scoliosis Painful?

Scoliosis can be painful, but often not when it is first diagnosed. If scoliosis is allowed to progress over time without treatment, however, it can affect discs, joints, muscles, and nerves in the back, causing pain and possibly making the shoulder, hips, ribcage, or pelvis uneven. As the spine begins to twist, scoliosis may even affect breathing.

How Is Scoliosis Treated?

Not all curvatures of the spine advance or cause problems, so they do not all require treatment. However, curvatures that are measurably progressing must be treated in order to prevent the onset of pain, deformities, and serious limitations to movement.

A common method for treating scoliosis is having the patient wear a brace for up to 23 hours per day, sometimes for several years. The length of time doctors recommend a brace be worn depends on the age of the patient, progression of the curvature, and the goal of treatment — to straighten the curve or simply prevent it from getting worse.