Scoliosis
| Scoliosis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Showing of the spine with abnormal curve (in red), with the ribs to either side of the spine in the top section and pelvis located at the bottom, and bones of the leg (in blue) | |
| Pronunciation | |
| Symptoms | Sideways curve in the back[2] |
| Usual onset | 10–20 years old[2] |
| Causes | Usually unknown[3] |
| Risk factors | Family history, cerebral palsy, Marfan syndrome, tumors such as neurofibromatosis[2] |
| Diagnostic method | X-ray[2] |
| Treatment | Watchful waiting, bracing, exercises, surgery[2][4] |
| Frequency | 3%[5][6] |
Scoliosis is a medical condition in which the human or animal spine has a sideways curve. The curve is usually S-shaped or C-shaped.[7] In some, the curve is stable. In others, though, it increases over time.[8] Mild scoliosis does not often cause problems. Severe cases, however, can interfere with breathing and can cause pain.
The cause of most cases is unknown. However, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors include having affected family members.
Diagnosis is often confirmed with x-rays.
Scoliosis usually occurs between ages 10 and 20. Males can be affected, although females are more often affected.
Scoliosis Media
A 20th-century illustration of a severe case of an S-shaped scoliosis
Opposite rotational asymmetries as viewed from below. Left: the Yakovlevian torque in the healthy cerebrum (exaggerated). Redrawn from Toga & Thompson. Right: the opposite, rightward asymmetry of the thoracal spine in healthy subjects. Source: figure 4 of reference
Cobb angle measurement of a scoliosis
A Chêneau brace achieving correction from 56° to 27° Cobb angle
Female adolescent (14 years old) patient wearing a Milwaukee brace – with neck ring and mandible (chin) pad showing
The remains of King Richard III of England discovered in 2012 revealed that the king had severe scoliosis, which appears to have been idiopathic (rather than congenital or neuromuscular) and of adolescent onset.
A 14–15th-century woman who had severe scoliosis, and died at about 35 years, Limburgs Museum, Venlo
References
- ↑ Scoliosis. Merriam Webster. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Questions and Answers about Scoliosis in Children and Adolescents. NIAMS (December 2015). Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Genetics Home Reference (September 2013). Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders 13 (2018). p. 3. doi:10.1186/s13013-017-0145-8.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Scoliosis: review of types of curves, etiological theories and conservative treatment. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 27 (2) (2014). p. 111–115. doi:10.3233/bmr-130438.
- ↑ Scoliosis - Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment. aans.org. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ↑ Scoliosis in Children and Adolescents (7 April 2017)NIAMS. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
- ↑ Adolescent ScoliosisGenetic Home Reference. Retrieved September 27, 2019.