Scoliosis

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. In some, the curve is stable. In others, though, it increases over time. Mild scoliosis does not often cause problems. Severe cases, however, can interfere with breathing and can cause pain.

Scoliosis
180px
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	/ˌskoʊliˈoʊsɪs/
Symptoms	Sideways curve in the back
Usual onset	10–20 years old
Causes	Usually unknown
Risk factors	Family history, cerebral palsy, Marfan syndrome, tumors such as neurofibromatosis
Diagnostic method	X-ray
Treatment	Watchful waiting, bracing, exercises, surgery
Frequency	3%

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

• Braus 1921 84.png

  A 20th-century illustration of a severe case of an S-shaped scoliosis

• Yakovlev and thoracal spine asymmetries.pdf

  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

• Scoliosis cobb.svg

  Cobb angle measurement of a scoliosis

• Scoliosis patient in cheneau brace correcting from 56 to 27 deg.png

  A Chêneau brace achieving correction from 56° to 27° Cobb angle

• Milwaukee brace - with neck ring and mandible pad.jpg

  Female adolescent (14 years old) patient wearing a Milwaukee brace – with neck ring and mandible (chin) pad showing

• The King In The Car Park - Page 15 - Figure 12.png

  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.

• Abnormal bone growth.jpg

  A 14–15th-century woman who had severe scoliosis, and died at about 35 years, Limburgs Museum, Venlo