The vertebrae are separated by soft pads, or discs, which act as shock absorbers. It's made up of 24 individual rectangular-shaped bones called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of one another. Your spine extends from your skull to your pelvis. The most common surgical option for scoliosis today is a posterior spinal fusion, which can offer better corrections with fewer fusion levels (preserving more back mobility) than what was done in years past.Īpproximately 90% of people identified with idiopathic scoliosis have curves that never progress enough to require bracing or surgery.Kyphosis may be caused by poor posture during childhood or be the result of abnormally shaped vertebrae or developmental problems with the spine. If the curve continues to progress despite bracing, surgery could be considered. See Bracing Treatment for Idiopathic Scoliosis The goal of bracing is to prevent the curve from getting worse and to avoid surgery. If the scoliosis has progressed past 20 or 25 degrees, a back brace could be prescribed to be worn until the adolescent has reached full skeletal maturity. Every 4 to 6 months, the doctor will take another X-ray of the spine to see if the scoliosis is progressing or not. Typically, a doctor will advise observation for a scoliosis curve that has not yet reached 25 degrees. Treatment options for idiopathic scoliosis could include: When Idiopathic Scoliosis Needs Treatment There have also been rare scoliosis cases with triple curves. Several other types of curves are possible, such as a left thoracic curve. People who have a double major curve may initially have a less obvious deformity because the two curves balance each other out more. Typically, a double curve involves right thoracic curve on top and left lumbar curve on bottom. This curve bends to the right side-starting and ending in the lower back. This curve bends to the right side-starting in the upper back (thoracic) and ending in the lower back (lumbar). See Thoracic Spine Anatomy and Upper Back Pain If a straight line were drawn down the center of the back, this curve bends to the right side of the upper back (thoracic region). Here are four common types of scoliosis curves: Sideways spinal curvature on the left side of the back is more like a regular C shape and called levoscoliosis. Scoliosis: Symptoms, Treatment and SurgeryĪ scoliosis curve usually looks a bit like a backward C shape and involves the spine bending sideways to the right, which is also called dextroscoliosis. However, a scoliosis curve can cause trunk imbalances and other issues that increase the likelihood for muscle spasms and other issues, which can in turn lead to pain. The idiopathic scoliosis in and of itself is generally not thought to cause significant pain, especially in adolescents and young adults. However, that small curve size would not show signs or symptoms.Īs the curve progresses to 20 degrees or beyond, there is an increased chance that the person or an observer, such as a parent or teacher, might notice abnormalities such as clothes hanging unevenly or the body tilting to one side. See Spinal Fusion for Idiopathic Scoliosis Early Stages Rarely Have Signs or SymptomsĪny sideways - or lateral - spinal curvature of at least 10 degrees, as measured on an X-ray of the spine, is considered scoliosis. Adolescence is when rapid growth typically occurs, which is why the detection of a curve at this stage should be monitored closely for progression as the child’s skeleton develops. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: develops from 10 to 18 years oldĪdolescent scoliosis comprises approximately 80% of all idiopathic scoliosis cases. Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis: develops from 4 to 9 years old.Infantile idiopathic scoliosis: develops from birth to 3 years old.Typically, idiopathic scoliosis is categorized by the age at which the deformity developed:
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