Degenerative Spine

Congenital Scoliosis Is Commonly Observed In Children

When lateral curvature of the spine occurs in the neck, chest and lower back region, it is termed scoliosis. In medical terms, scoliosis affects the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine region. Scoliosis may affect the infants, juveniles or adolescents and accordingly there are variations of the disease. For example, congenital scoliosis affects young children, where it causes the abnormal development of the spine. This results either in a missing part, partial formation or separation of the vertebrae.

Juvenile scoliosis affects children (both boys and girls) in the age group of 3-10 years. In this a thoracic curve is formed that causes chest asymmetry, asymmetric skin folds, vertical elevation of a shoulder and prominence of shoulder blades. The infantile scoliosis mostly affects the male child (between birth to three years of age) and is the least commonly observed scoliosis. In this case, there is a spontaneous correction of the curvature but sometimes the curve continues to increase with the growth of the child.

When it comes to adults, they generally suffer from degenerative lumbar scoliosis. This type usually occurs in adults over 50 years of age and affects the lower spine. The reason is mostly the degeneration of disc. Sometimes osteoporosis in adults may also contribute to the onset of scoliosis, however in most cases, the reason is unknown.

Neuromuscular scoliosis occurs in children with neuromuscular disorder like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophies, spinal cord injuries, spina bifida and many more. In most of the cases, there is the weakness of the trunk and with the growth of the child; there is a collapsing deformity of the spine resulting in a c-shaped curve.

Multiple scoliosis, however, is the disease of the central nervous system. The spinal cord and the nerve fibers of the brain are damaged in this progressive, degenerative disorder. The main cause of the disease is the damage caused to the myelin that is responsible for protecting the central nervous system. There are many symptoms to diagnose scoliosis. The most common scoliosis symptoms are - one shoulder blade prominent than the other, a raised prominent hip, uneven waist, rib cages at different heights, head is not centered directly and leaning of the body to one side.

Scoliosis treatment mostly depends upon the likeliness that the curve will worsen and not on the angle of the curve. A child with a curve of 25° does not require treatment; rather a careful vigilation is needed. A curve of more than 25° but less than 30° requires a scoliosis brace followed with scoliosis exercises. Curves more than 45° requires proper evaluation and their might be a need for surgical corrections. People still ponder over what is scoliosis but it is important to identify the disease as early as possible because early diagnosis will increase the chances of slowing or halting the curvature.