A Common Spine Problem Scolosis

Scolosis is a common problem that usually requires only observation with repeated examination in the growing years. Everyone's spine has natural curves. These curves round our shoulders and make our lower back curve slightly inward. However, for some people, their spines also curve from side to side which is not as the result of poor posture that can be corrected simply by learning to stand up straight. This condition of side-to-side spinal curves is called scolosis. On an x-ray, the spine of a person with scolosis looks more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line.

The key to the problem is early detection to make sure the curve does not progress. There are very small number of cases that need medical intervention. If needed, advances in modern orthopaedic techniques have made scolosis a highly manageable condition. Specialists in the diseases of the muscles and skeleton called orthopaedists are the most knowledgeable and qualified group of physicians to diagnose, monitor and treat scolosis.

Who does scolosis affect? Actually, scolosis only affects s a small percentage of the population, approximately 2 percent. But know that scolosis runs in families, the chance of someone from the same family having scolosis is 20%. The vast majority of scolosis has unknown causes. It usually develops in middle or late childhood, before puberty, and is seen more often in girls than boys. Most scolosis is found in healthy youngsters. Scolosis can occur in adults as well. But adult scolosis may represent the progression of a condition that actually began in childhood, and was not diagnosed or treated while the person was still growing. In other instances, adult scolosis can be caused by the degenerative changes of the spine.

Treatment for a child with scolosis by an orthopaedist will consider a variety of factors, including the history of scolosis in the family, the age at which the curve began, the curve's location and severity of the curve. Most spine curves in children with scolosis will remain small and need only to be watched by an orthopaedist for any sign of progression. When a curve does progress, an orthopaedic brace would be used to prevent it from getting worse. If a scolotic curve is severe when it is first seen, or if treatment with a brace does not control the curve, surgery may be necessary. In these cases, surgery has been found to be a highly effective and safe treatment.