Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine greater than 10° measured using the Cobb method; curvatures may occur in the thoracic or lumbar spine (sometimes in both). Scoliosis may be accompanied by sagittal alignment abnormalities such as excessive kyphosis or lordosis. Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common diagnosis, with a prevalence of 2% to 3%. The curves are often S-shaped or C-shaped.
- In most people, there is no known cause for this curve.
- The curves frequently follow patterns that have been studied in previous patients
- The most common type has no known cause and occurs in children aged 10 to 12 years and in early adolescence.
- Girls are more likely than boys to have this type of scoliosis.
- You are more likely to have scoliosis if your parents or sibling has it.
Classification
Idiopathic scoliosis can be classified by age:
- Infantile (birth to 3 years old)
- Juvenile (3 to 11 years old)
- Adolescent (over 11 years old).
Cobb angle
Symptoms
Scoliosis is a disorder in which there is a lateral curve of the spine. Signs of scoliosis may include:
- Uneven shoulders.
- Head that is not centered.
- The sides of the body are not level.
- One side of the rib cage is higher than the other when bending forward.
Causes
In most people with scoliosis, the cause is not known. In some cases, there is a known cause.
Classification of the curves as:
- Non-structural: When the spine is structurally normal and the curve is temporary. In these cases, the doctor will attempt to find and correct the cause.
- Structural: When the spine has a fixed curve. The cause may be a disease, injury, infection, birth defect or unknown.
Screening
- Adam’s forward bend test is the most sensitive clinical method of screening for scoliosis.
- The patient is asked to bend forward with feet together, knees straight, and arms hanging.
- The examiner looks backward from behind and documents any rotational asymmetry.
- Spinal flexion accentuates the rotation of the spine, causing
X-ray
