Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves sideways. Most of the time it develops in a person’s growth period just prior to puberty. Although it’s unknown what exactly causes this condition, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy might also cause it to develop. Most of the time scoliosis can be mild.
Although, in certain children that developed these deformities of the spine, it can become very severe when they grow older. Severe cases will be disabling. With curves of the spine that are very harsh, it may reduce the space inside their chest. This will be a problem for their lungs to properly function.
All children that suffer from mild scoliosis will be closely monitored, normally through X-rays in order to keep track of the condition and to see when they condition deteriorates. Very often it’s not necessary for any treatment, as a brace might be sufficient for some in preventing the condition to worsen, others may need surgery.
Types of scoliosis curves that are common
Usually, this curve can appear in a C shape backward. It typically involves your spine bending sideways on the right side, which is known as dextro-scoliosis. If the curve turns sideways to your left side, it can appear as a normal C shape, known as levo-scoliosis.
Right thoracic curve
When you draw a line that is straight down the middle of your back, the curve normally bends to your upper back’s right side in the thoracic area.
Right thoracolumbar curve
In this case, the curve will bend to your right side, starting from the thoracic/upper back and ending in your lumbar/lower back.
The right lumbar curve
With this curve it can bend to your right side, starting as well as ending in your lower back.
Double major curve
Generally, the double curve can involve the right thoracic curve and the left lumbar curve. Patients that develop double major curve might initially not show deformity that is obvious because these two curves can balance out each other.
It’s possible to also develop some other types like left thoracic curves and in very rare cases a patient can develop triple curves.
Some risk factors
These risk factors include scoliosis’ types that are most common:
Family history – It’s possible that scoliosis may run in your family, though most of the children that develop this disease generally don’t have any family history of the disease.
Sex – Both girls and boys might develop a mild form of scoliosis close to a rate that is the same, but girls are at a higher risk to develop it and need treatments.
Age – Symptoms, and signs usually start in the growing period just before puberty.
Complications of scoliosis
Although most patients that develop this disorder normally experience it in a form that is mild, it can cause certain complications.
Complication such as:
Back problems – Usually adults can suffer from back pain chronically if they had some form of scoliosis when they were a child.
Heart and lung damage – In the case where a patient experience scoliosis that is severe, their rib cage might push against their heart and lungs, which will cause difficulty in breathing and for their heart to pump normally.
Your appearance – Changes can be more noticeable when the deformity gets worse, such as shifting of your waist, uneven hips, prominent ribs, and shoulders that are unlevel. Most of the time these patients develop a self-consciousness of their appearance.
Different reasons for developing scoliosis
Functional problems
The spine may be normal, while abnormal curves might develop due to problems in another area of the body. Sometimes, it’s caused when a patient has muscle spasms in their back or where one of their legs is shorter than the other.
Neuromuscular problems
It can be caused due to problems occurring while the spine bones are formed. This can either happen when spine bones don’t completely form, or when it fails in separating by twins during a development of the fetal from one another.
It can develop in patients that suffer from disorders such as Marfan syndrome which is a disease that’s inherited of the connective tissues, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and birth defects.
Patients who experience conditions like this often may develop a C-shape curve and also experience muscles that are weak which prevent them from having an upright posture. It’s known as congenital when it’s present at birth, and it usually will be very serious which means aggressive treatments may be necessary.
Degenerative problems
Unlike scoliosis types that generally appear among small children, as well as teens, this scoliosis usually affects adults that are older. It can be caused by spine changes because of arthritis. Soft spine tissues and ordinary ligaments that weaken combined with bone spurs that are abnormal might also cause abnormal spine curvatures.
Disc degeneration, compression fractures of the vertebra and osteoporosis can also affect the spine. Consult your doctor if you notice any changes as mentioned or suspect there may be a problem with your spine.