Scoliosis is a disease which involves a lateral curvature of the spine; that is, the spine is bent sideways. Scoliosis is incurable, but its natural course can be affected with treatments such as surgery or back braces.
Scoliosis curves greater than 10° affect 2-3% of the population, often children between the ages of seven and ten, with a greater incidence among girls. Curves greater that 20° affect about 1 in 2500 people. Different etiologic theories point to genetic, neuromuscular, hormonal and growth factors, though it appears that the cause is multifactorial. The vast majority of cases (85%) have unknown causes or are idiopathic.
In one out of every 1000 cases, surgery may be necessary. Females are 9 times more likely to require treatment than males, mostly since they are also more likely to have larger, progressive curves.
Those with scoliosis rarely complain of pain, and their condition is often discovered incidentally. During a visit, a physician should be careful to take a family history and good medical history, and perform a proper physical examination.
The symptoms of scoliosis are:
Prominent shoulder blade
Uneven hip and shoulder levels.
Unequal distance between arms and body
Clothes that do not "hang right"
Muscle mass that causes a "hump" on one side of the spine
A rib "hump"
Shoulders that have a lack of spine reinforcement can hurt if large amounts of weight are placed upon them. Back pain caused by scoliosis can manifest mainly in the younger of those affected (usually from childhood to the age of about 25) during times of heavy muscular growth, such as growth spurts, due to the irregular shaping of the spine and the resulting compensation that the person's body has to make for that irregular shape. This pain can be anywhere from mild pain to heavier, more debilitating pain, and is often felt in the musculature directly surrounding the spine instead of in the spine itself. Due to this muscular compensation stiffness of the back and neck can also occur, especially if the curve in the spine is located higher up in the back.
Common Musculoskeletal Disorders
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