Does one shoulder of your child seem a little higher than the other? Or does it feel like the sides of your child's waist are not the same when you put on a dress? Sometimes we think these are just normal things, but this could be a back strain. Since this condition is often painless, it is more likely to be missed in the early stages. Today we are going to talk about a condition that many people have heard of but do not know exactly. That is scoliosis.
Simply put, what is scoliosis?
It's very simple. Scoliosis is a condition in which our spine, or backbone, curves to one side. Normally, a healthy person's spine should be straight when viewed from behind. But a person with scoliosis has their spine curved to one side, resembling the shape of the English letter 'C' or 'S'.
Our spines naturally have a slight curve. If you stand and look at them from the side, you'll see it. That's normal. But scoliosis is not like that. It's an abnormal side-to-side curvature .
Most of the time, this condition is not serious. This means that many people do not show symptoms and do not need treatment. However, in some severe cases, things like back pain and loss of balance can occur. In those cases, medical treatment is required.
What are the main types of scoliosis?
Scoliosis can be divided into three main types, based on the cause.
| Type of scoliosis | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Idiopathic Scoliosis | This is the most common type. The word "idiopathic" means "of unknown cause." This means that no specific cause has been found. However, research shows that it runs in families, meaning it is genetic. |
| Congenital Scoliosis | This is a very rare condition. It is caused by a defect in the spine that is present at birth. This condition can occur when the bones (vertebrae) of the spine do not form properly while the baby is growing in the womb. |
| Neuromuscular Scoliosis | This type is caused by a defect in the muscles and nerves that support our spine. It is usually seen with other nerve or muscle-related conditions. For example, this condition can occur in people with diseases such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or muscular dystrophy. |
Scoliosis diagnosed in adulthood is sometimes called "degenerative scoliosis." This is caused by factors such as the weakening of the spinal discs and joints, and thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) as we age.
This is also categorized by age.
The idiopathic type, in particular, is known by several other names depending on the age at which it is diagnosed.
- Infantile scoliosis: For children under 3 years old.
- Juvenile scoliosis: For children between 4 and 10 years old.
- Adolescent scoliosis: For children between the ages of 11 and 18 (most commonly diagnosed at this age).
- Adult idiopathic scoliosis: A condition that is diagnosed after the age of 18, when physical growth is complete.
What are the symptoms of scoliosis?
Most people with scoliosis have no symptoms . Back pain, especially in children, is rare. However, some people may experience symptoms such as:
- Back pain (especially in adults)
- Difficulty standing upright
- Weakening of the core muscles
- Pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs
What are the external signs that can indicate the presence of scoliosis?
Even if there are no symptoms, there are some signs that can help you identify this condition from the appearance of the body. As a parent, you can keep an eye out for these things.
| Recognizable sign | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Uneven shoulders | One shoulder is higher than the other. This is easily seen when you stand straight in front of a mirror. |
| Shoulders visible in front | The shoulder blade on one side appears to protrude more than the other. |
| Uneven waist | One side of the waist is higher than the other, or the curve of the waist is not the same on both sides. When wearing a dress, it may appear as if it is pulled to one side. |
| Head lost in the middle | The head appears to be tilted to one side, rather than directly above and in the middle of the pelvis. |
| Being weighted to one side | When standing, the entire body appears to be tilted to one side. |
| Unequal leg length | Sometimes one leg may seem shorter than the other. |
If you or your child has one or more of these signs, don't panic. The best thing to do is to see a doctor, that is, your doctor, and get checked out.
How is scoliosis diagnosed and measured?
A doctor follows several steps to diagnose this condition.
Screening
Most school-age children are tested for this. This is the first test you do when you go to the doctor.
1. They tell you to wear a saree or shorts to show off your back.
2. You will be asked to stand up straight. Here, the doctor will look at you from behind and from the side, checking things like shoulder height and hip position.
3. You are asked to bend forward. This is called the "Adam's Forward Bend Test." You bend forward without bending your knees, as if you were touching your toes. When you bend like this, if you have a back injury, you will see a rib hump on one side of your back. This is a very easy way to diagnose scoliosis.
Imaging Tests
If scoliosis is suspected after the initial examination, your doctor will refer you for an X-ray. An X-ray can take a complete picture of your spine.
How do you measure your back?
After looking at the X-ray, the doctor will measure the degree of curvature of the spine. This is similar to how we used to measure angles in school with a protractor. The severity of the condition is determined by this measurement.
- If it is less than 10 degrees: it is not considered scoliosis.
- 10 - 24 degrees: Mild scoliosis.
- 25 - 39 degrees: Moderate scoliosis.
- Above 40 degrees: Severe scoliosis.
What are the treatments for scoliosis?
The most important thing to remember here is that not everyone with scoliosis will need treatment . The decision to treat or not depends on several factors.
- Amount of back flexion (degrees)
- Patient's age
- If it's a child, how long will the body continue to develop?
- Whether the pull increases rapidly or not
Treatment can be divided into two main parts.
1. Nonsurgical Treatment
This is the treatment that is recommended to many people.
- Observation: If the child has a small amount of sciatica (less than 25 degrees) and is still growing, the doctor will tell him to come back every 4-6 months. Then he will take an X-ray to see if the sciatica is getting worse. If it is not getting worse, no further treatment is needed.
- Back Brace: For a child who has moderate scoliosis (25-40 degrees) and is still growing, the doctor may recommend a specially designed back brace. This will help prevent the scoliosis from getting worse. This will need to be worn for several hours a day. Although it may be uncomfortable at first, it is important to prevent the scoliosis from getting worse.
- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can teach you exercises to strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, as well as techniques to correct your posture. This can help reduce pain and improve your body's function.
2. Surgery
Surgery is rarely recommended. It is referred to,
- If the back pain is very severe (usually more than 45-50 degrees).
- If the increase in pressure cannot be controlled with non-surgical treatments.
- If you have difficulty breathing or severe pain due to the stretching.
The main surgical procedure is called Spinal Fusion . In this, the surgeon joins together several vertebrae in the compressed part of the spine and straightens the spine using metal rods and screws. This is a successful surgery.
Can you do sports and exercise with scoliosis?
This is a question that many parents and children ask.
The good news is that most people with scoliosis can participate in sports and exercise without any restrictions.
In fact, being physically active can help strengthen your back muscles and help control symptoms. Playing sports does not make scoliosis worse .
Especially good games and exercises:
- Swimming: This is very good. Since the body does not feel heavy in the water, there is no pressure on the back. Also, since the muscles of the entire body are activated at the same time, core strength increases significantly.
- Yoga and stretching exercises: These help increase the body's flexibility and strengthen muscles.
- Gymnastics: This also develops flexibility and core strength.
However, if your child has had surgery, the doctor may advise them to avoid contact sports such as rugby, hockey, and football for a while. It's best to consult your doctor before starting anything.
Take-Home Message
- Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. Most of the time, it is not a serious condition.
- If your child's shoulders and hips seem uneven, or if one side of their back seems to be protruding, seek medical advice. The earlier it is detected, the easier it is to treat.
- Not everyone with scoliosis needs surgery. Most people don't need treatment at all, or a brace or exercises are enough.
- Being physically active and playing sports is very good for scoliosis. It doesn't make the condition worse.
- If you or your child have any questions or doubts about this, the best and safest thing to do is to see your doctor and talk to him.
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