<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Contents</span></span></strong></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Causes</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Symptoms</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Exams and Tests</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Treatment</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Outlook (Prognosis)</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Possible Complications</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">When to Contact a Medical Professional&nbsp;</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Prevention</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs straight down your back. Everyone&rsquo;s spine naturally curves a bit. But people with scoliosis have a spine that curves too much. The spine might look like the letter C or S.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><img src="https://www.zdrav.kz/images/refs3/scol.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 482px;" /></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Abnormal curvature in the spine is known as scoliosis, and generally begins just at the onset of puberty and progresses during the period of rapid growth. Most junior high schools routinely screen for scoliosis because, if caught early, progressive spine curvature can be prevented. Scoliosis affects girls much more frequently than boys.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="1" name="1">Causes</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Most of the time, the cause of scoliosis is unknown. This is called idiopathic scoliosis. It is the most common type. It is grouped by age.</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">In children age 3 and younger, it is called infantile scoliosis.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">In&nbsp;children age 4&nbsp;through 10, it is called juvenile scoliosis.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">In&nbsp;children age 11&nbsp;through 18, it is called adolescent scoliosis.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Scoliosis most often affects girls. Some people are more likely to have curving of the spine. Curving generally gets worse during a growth spurt.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Other types of scoliosis are:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Congenital scoliosis: This type of scoliosis is present at birth. It occurs when the baby&rsquo;s ribs or spine bones do not form properly.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Neuromuscular scoliosis: This type is caused by a nervous system problem that affects&nbsp;the muscles. Problems can include&nbsp;cerebral palsy,&nbsp;muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and&nbsp;polio.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="2" name="2">Symptoms</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Usually there are no symptoms.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">If there are symptoms, they may include:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Backache or low-back pain</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Tired feeling in the spine after sitting or standing for a long time</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Uneven hips or shoulders (one shoulder may be higher than the other)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Spine curves more to one side</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="3" name="3">Exams and Tests</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The health care provider will perform a physical exam. You will be asked to bend forward. This makes your spine easier to see. It may be hard to see changes in the early stages of scoliosis.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">&nbsp;The exam may show:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">One shoulder is higher than the other</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The pelvis is tilted</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">X-rays of the spine are done. X-rays are important because the actual curving of the spine may be worse than what your doctor can see during an exam.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Other tests may include:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Spinal curve measurement (scoliometer screening)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">MRI&nbsp;of the spine</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="4" name="4">Treatment</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Treatment depends on many things:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The cause of scoliosis</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Where the curve is in your spine</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">How big the curve is</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">If your body is still growing</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Most people with idiopathic scoliosis do not need treatment. But you should still be checked by a doctor about every 6 months.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">If you are still growing, your doctor might recommend a back brace. A back brace prevents further curving. There are many different types of braces. What kind you get depends on the size and location of your curve. Your health care provider will pick the best one for you and show you how to use it. Back braces can be adjusted as you grow.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Back braces work best in people over age 10. Braces do not work for those with congenital or neuromuscular scoliosis.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Sometimes,&nbsp;surgery&nbsp;is needed:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Scoliosis surgery involves correcting the curve as much as possible.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The spine bones are held in place with one or two metal rods.&nbsp;The rods&nbsp;are held down with hooks and screws until the bone heals together.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Surgery may be done with a cut through the back, belly area, or beneath the ribs.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">After surgery, you may need to wear a brace for a while to keep the spine still.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">You may need surgery if the spine curve is severe or getting worse very quickly. The surgeon may want to wait until all your bones stop growing, but this is not always possible.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Scoliosis treatment may also include:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Emotional support. Some children, especially teens, may be self-conscious when using a back brace.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Physical therapy and other specialists to help explain the treatments and make sure the brace fits correctly.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="5" name="5">Outlook (Prognosis)</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">How well&nbsp; a person with scoliosis does depends on the type, cause, and severity of the curve. The more severe the curving, the more likely it will get worse after the child stops growing.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">People with mild scoliosis do well with braces. They usually do not have long-term problems.&nbsp; Back pain may be more likely when the person gets older.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Outlook for those with neuromuscular or congenital scoliosis varies. They may have another serious disorder such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, so their goals are much different. Often the goal of surgery is simply to allow a child to be able to sit upright in a wheelchair.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Congenital scoliosis is difficult to treat and usually requires many surgeries.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="6" name="6">Possible Complications</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Complications of scoliosis can include:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Breathing problems (in severe scoliosis)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Low back pain</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Lower self-esteem</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Persistent pain if there is wear and tear of the spine bones</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Spinal infection after surgery</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Spine or nerve damage from an uncorrected curve or spinal surgery</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="7" name="7">When to Contact a Medical Professional</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Call your health care provider if you suspect your child may have scoliosis.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="8" name="8">Prevention</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Routine scoliosis screening is now done in middle schools.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Such screening has helped detect early scoliosis in many children.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>Source:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001241.htm">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001241.htm</a></span></span></p>
