| What do Elizabeth Taylor, Renee Ruso, | | | | manage non-surgically. |
| Isabella Rossellini, and Linda Blair all | | | | There are several "warning signs" to |
| have in common? Aside from the obvious | | | | determine if you or someone you love has |
| fact that they are popular and gorgeous | | | | scoliosis. If you notice any one or more |
| celebrities, these women suffer from a | | | | of these signs, you should schedule an |
| back problem called scoliosis. | | | | exam with a doctor: |
| Scoliosis is a medical condition that is | | | | · Shoulders are different heights; one |
| characterized by the presence of | | | | shoulder blade is more prominent than |
| curvatures and deformities in the spine. | | | | the other |
| Unlike poor posture, these curves can | | | | · The head is not centered directly |
| not be corrected by simply learning to | | | | above the pelvis |
| stand up straight. | | | | · Appearance of a raised, prominent hip |
| Scoliosis affects a small percentage of | | | | · Rib cages are at different heights |
| the population, or approximately two | | | | · Changes in look or texture of skin |
| percent. However, scoliosis runs in | | | | overlying the spine like dimples, hairy |
| families. If someone in the family has | | | | patches, color changes |
| scoliosis, the likelihood of an | | | | · Uneven waist |
| incidence is approximately 20 percent. | | | | · Leaning of entire body to one side |
| Scoliosis in skeletally immature | | | | If someone is suspected with scoliosis, |
| individuals is classified by age: | | | | it is usually confirmed with an x-ray, |
| infantile (0 to 3 years); juvenile (3 to | | | | spinal radiograph, CT scan, MRI or bone |
| 10 years); and adolescent (over 11 | | | | scan of the spine. The curve is then |
| years, or from onset of puberty until | | | | measured by the Cobb Method and is |
| skeletal maturity). In addition, | | | | discussed in terms of degrees. The Cobb |
| scoliosis is classified by etiology: | | | | method has several advantages over other |
| congenital, idiopathic or neuromuscular. | | | | methods, including the fact that it is |
| Congenital scoliosis results from | | | | more likely to be consistent even when |
| embryological malformation of one or | | | | the patient is measured by several |
| more vertebrae and may occur in any | | | | different examiners. An alternative |
| location of the spine. This is due to a | | | | system, known as the Risser-Ferguson |
| problem with the formation of vertebrae | | | | method, is used far less commonly. |
| or fused ribs during prenatal | | | | Generally, a curve is considered |
| development. The vertebral anomalies | | | | significant if it is greater than 25 to |
| cause curvature and other deformities of | | | | 30 degrees. Curves exceeding 45 to 50 |
| the spine and lead to differential | | | | degrees are considered severe and often |
| growth. This means that one area of the | | | | require more aggressive treatment. |
| spinal column lengthens at a slower rate | | | | The traditional medical management of |
| than the remainder. Because these | | | | scoliosis is determined by the severity |
| anomalies are present at birth, | | | | of the curvature, skeletal maturity, and |
| congenital scoliosis is usually detected | | | | likelihood of progression. The |
| at a younger age than is idiopathic | | | | conventional options are initially |
| scoliosis. | | | | through observation, followed by bracing |
| Idiopathic scoliosis refers to a spinal | | | | and surgery. Most cases of adolescent |
| curve for which there is no discernible | | | | idiopathic scoliosis that are less than |
| cause, and it typically occurs in | | | | 20 degrees require no treatment, but |
| children and adolescents who are | | | | should be checked often around every 6 |
| otherwise healthy. It is of unknown | | | | months. As curves get worse which is |
| cause, and appears in a previously | | | | above 25 to 30 degrees, bracing is |
| straight spine. | | | | usually recommended to help slow the |
| Neuromuscular scoliosis is caused by | | | | progression of the curve. Curves that |
| problems such as poor muscle control or | | | | are greater than 40 degrees usually |
| muscular weakness or paralysis due to | | | | require surgery because curves this |
| diseases such as cerebral palsy, | | | | large have a high risk of getting worse |
| muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and | | | | even after bone growth stops. |
| polio. It encompasses scoliotic spine | | | | Scoliosis is a common problem that |
| deformities that are secondary to | | | | usually requires only observation with |
| neurologic or muscular diseases. | | | | repeated examination in the growing |
| Etiologies of this type of scoliosis | | | | years. Still, early detection is |
| include cerebral palsy, spinal cord | | | | important to make sure the curve does |
| trauma, muscular dystrophy, spinal | | | | not progress. In the relatively small |
| muscular atrophy, and myelomeningocele. | | | | percentage of scoliosis that need |
| Spinal deformities that result from | | | | medical intervention, advances in modern |
| neuromuscular etiologies generally | | | | orthopedic techniques have made |
| progress more rapidly than idiopathic | | | | scoliosis a highly manageable condition. |
| scoliosis and are more difficult to | | | | |