Understanding Scoliosis: Causes, Types, and Symptoms

Scoliosis is a deformity that occurs when the spine becomes abnormally curved and sideways. The angle of the curve may vary, from small to large, but is considered scoliosis if the angle measures more than 10 degrees. In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown. These cases of unknown scoliosis are considered to be idiopathic. If the scoliosis does have a clear cause doctors consider it to be structural or nonstructural. Structural scoliosis causes the spine to be curved and rigid. It cannot be reversed. In nonstructural scoliosis the spine is normal, but looks curved. Problems such as muscle spasms, and different lengths of one’s leg can cause this. This type of scoliosis will go away when the problem is corrected. Other causes are neuromuscular conditions, birth defects, and injures to the spine. Congenital scoliosis begins while the baby is developing in the womb, before birth. Degenerative scoliosis begins in adulthood as the disks and joints in the lower back begin to wear out. Signs and symptoms of scoliosis include uneven shoulders,

The doctor can do a bend test which means the patient would bend forward at the waist at a 90 degree angle. They can use a scoliometer to measure spine rotation and they can use an x-ray of the full spine to diagnose scoliosis. Treatment of scoliosis includes observation every 4-6 months to check the progression, bracing the patient to stop the curve from getting worse, performing surgery to correct the curve or to stop it from getting worse by fusing two or more bones in the spine. Patients can also go to a chiropractor, receive electrical stimulation, or exercise. Usually scoliosis is mild, but it can sometimes cause complications such as lung and heart damage from the rib cage being pressed against the heart and lungs, chronic pain, and noticeable appearance problems such as unlevel shoulders, prominent ribs, uneven hips, and a shift of the waist to the