June is National Scoliosis Month - and to show our awareness we've compiled some information on scoliosis in children and adults.

Defining and Diagnosing

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine, typically diagnosed in childhood and early adolescence. On average, it affects six to nine million Americans. It is confirmed through a physical examination and some sort of diagnostic imaging. The curvature is measured using the Cobb Method which measures the angle of intersecting perpendicular lines from the top vertebrae to the bottom vertebrae of the spine. Curves more than 25 to 30 degrees are considered significant, but anything exceeding 45 to 50 degrees will need actionable measures such as a brace or surgery. 

Signs and Symptoms 

  • Uneven or protruding shoulders 

  • Uneven hips 

  • Uneven rib cage

  • Uneven waist

Many patients affected initially present with back pain. 

Scoliosis in Children

The primary onset age for scoliosis is 10-15 years old, but scoliosis in children can occur starting at birth and is categorized three ways: infantile (0-3), juvenile (3-10), adolescent (11+).

There are three types of scoliosis that children can be diagnosed with.

  • Idiopathic Scoliosis: This is the most common type, the cause is unknown, usually it’s from genetics. 

  • Congenital Scoliosis: Comes from a rare abnormality in the spine that is detected at birth. 

  • Neuromuscular Scoliosis: Diagnosed from abnormalities in the muscles and nerves. Common diagnoses are cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy.

Scoliosis in Adults

Adult scoliosis typically can be from one of two things; untreated adolescent scoliosis or a later formed scoliosis known as degenerative scoliosis. In the case of adults, fixing degree curvature is secondary to decreasing pain and improving overall function. 

In adults, the main portion of concern is typically the lumbar spine as this is most susceptible to change in age or degeneration. 

Adult scoliosis is usually treated by improving posture, stretching daily, and staying active with low-impact exercises.

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