Scoliosis

It is the condition in which the spine is curved laterally to one side, and is commonly seen in the mid and lower back. In most cases, scoliosis is idiopathic, which means it has no known cause. Around 80% of all idiopathic scoliosis cases are diagnosed in adolescence. This is a period of rapid skeletal growth, and hence the conditions require early diagnosis and close monitoring. Some cases of scoliosis are also seen secondary to another disease or condition, such as neuromuscular and degenerative conditions.

Features –

1. Parents or guardians are the first to notice when the child’s spine or shoulders appear to be tilting to one side, or when clothes hang from one side when the child is standing
2. It can also be observed by a physician or orthopedic doctor on examination, and on Xray by measuring the Cobb angle (higher than 10 degrees)
3. The symptoms become more obvious during adolescence due to rapid skeletal growth. Common observations include:

• The head may appear a bit off-center
• The ribs on each side may be slightly different heights
• One hip may be more prominent than the other
• The clothes may not hang evenly
• One shoulder or shoulder blade may be higher than the other
• The person may lean to one side
• The legs may be slightly different lengths

4. Idiopathic scoliosis generally does not cause significant pain, especially in adolescents and young adults. However, if the scoliosis curve progresses further, leading to imbalances of trunk muscles and soft tissues that increase the risk for muscle spasms, muscular and joint pain, tightness, and restricted breathing.

Treatment-

1. An orthopedic doctor will advise observation for a scoliosis curve that has not yet reached 25 degrees. Every 4 to 6 months, the doctor will take follow-up X-rays of the spine to check for progression of the curve.
2. If the scoliotic curve has progressed beyond 20 or 25 degrees, a brace could be prescribed to be worn until the adolescent has reached full skeletal maturity. The goal of bracing is to prevent the curve from progressing further.
3. Exercises designed to strengthen weak muscles (on the convex side of the curve) and stretch tight muscles (on the concave side of the curve) are prescribed by a physiotherapist.
4. If the curve continues to progress despite bracing and physiotherapy, and causes severe discomfort and respiratory restrictions- surgery is considered. The most recent and effective surgical treatment for scoliosis is a posterior spinal fusion, which can offer better corrections with fewer fusion levels (thus preserving more back mobility).

For more details about physiotherapy for scoliosis, contact us on the information given below!