Understanding Scoliosis

Scoliosis is the condition that causes the spine to abnormally curve from side to side and possibly rotate. It is prevalent in adolescents that starting their growth spurt, right before their puberty stage. While small twisting and turning of the spine does not put a person at much risk, developing advanced scoliosis can lead to harmful effects.

Scoliosis can be defined as one of three types - idiopathic, congenital and neuromuscular. Congenital implies that there are birth defects that increase spinal curvature as a person grows up. For example, abnormal vertebrae, or vertebrae with very little separation between each other can possibly lead to congenital scoliosis. Neuromuscular scoliosis is triggered by other health conditions that may affect the spine. Muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal bifida are all examples of neuromuscular conditions that can lead to scoliosis.

Idiopathic scoliosis is when the causes are unknown. Incidentally, it is the most common type, as the main causes of scoliosis are not fully understood. It is characterized as infantile, juvenile or adolescent, depending on what stage of human development it occurs in. Genetic background is accepted as the most well known risk factor because scoliosis tends to run in the family. It has also been theorized that the presence of ether in the bloodstream of the father during conception could trigger this idiopathic scoliosis.

Minor cases of scoliosis may not require any treatment at all. However, it is important to have a doctor check the progression of spine curvature at least twice a year to see if it is becoming worse. Those with moderate scoliosis may be fitted with a special brace around the body. These braces are limited in only preventing the spine from curving any worse. They cannot reverse the effects of scoliosis.

Scoliosis surgery is the last and most aggressive method to get rid of very large curvatures in the spine. A spinal fusion is the procedure commonly performed, which will fuse two or more vertebrae together. It is done to provide more stability and to prevent the vertebrae from twisting and winding. Surgery is the only way to actually reduce the spine curvature. Scoliosis surgery is a very intensive surgery that can unintentionally lead to other health complications. However, in dealing with large curvatures of the spine, scoliosis surgery is the best treatment to correct and remove spine deformities.