Scoliosis What is it?

Scoliosis is an abnormality of the spine, which presents with a side-to-side curve, and can present in early childhood. A child with scoliosis may appear to be leaning to one side, have a higher hip and or shoulder, and have a spine with an S or C shape.

How do you diagnose scoliosis?

Finding scoliosis early is important for treatment. With a complete health history, and a physical exam, Dr. Mary can diagnose scoliosis along with additional test such as x-rays to measure the curves present in the spine. A curve that is 10 degrees or more is considered scoliosis. If left untreated, scoliosis can cause nervous system problems along with heart and lung function. Untreated scoliosis will have a negative impact in overall posture, and spinal health.

What causes scoliosis?

In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is not known. A child may be born with it. Or he or she can develop it later in life. It’s most often seen in children between the ages of 10 and 18. It tends to affect more girls than boys.

Possible causes of scoliosis include:

• Inherited conditions that tend to run in families
• Differences in leg lengths and hip imbalances
• Injury from falls and accidents
• Nervous system problems like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy

What are treatment options?

Early intervention and conservative care, has the potential to stop or reverse abnormal curvatures such as scoliosis or “S curve”, hyperkyphosis also known as “hunchback”, and even hyper lordosis or “swayback”. Addressing spinal curves during childhood, will thereby reduce the need for more invasive or undesirable interventions later.

In our office, treatment will depend on age, symptoms, and how mild, moderate, or severe the condition is.

The goal of treatment is to stop the curve from getting worse and prevent deformity and degeneration. When treated early, many have benefited from reversal in curvature and improvement in overall posture, and spinal preservation. Treatment may help minimize the need for bracing and invasive surgery options. Therapy may include observation and repeated adjustments and exams. Frequency of adjustments will be determined on how a patient responds and holds after a series of visits.