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