Chiropractor Fitchburg WI | Frequently Asked Questions About Scoliosis
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Chiropractor Fitchburg WI | Frequently Asked Questions About Scoliosis
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When you or someone you love is diagnosed with scoliosis, it is only natural to have questions. Many of those you will ask the doctor or chiropractor and some you will not think of until later. Even then, it is not uncommon to forget your doctor or chiropractor’s response due to the initial shock. Therefore, we have prepared a list of frequently asked questions to help.
What is Scoliosis? -
Scoliosis comes from the Greek work “skoliosis.” It literally means “crooked condition.” The medical condition describes a deformity in the spine causing it to curve from side to side. Generally, it has two classification types: congenital (from birth) and idiopathic (unknown). Idiopathic is then separated further based on the time the scoliosis occurred: infantile, juvenile, adolescent, or adult onset.
What Causes Scoliosis? -
In most cases, scoliosis has idiopathic or unknown causes. Sometimes there is an underlying anomaly but for the majority of people it is simply unknown.
Occasionally, scoliosis develops due to a physical trauma. The spine or the supporting muscles can be injured. The result is curvature of the spine.
In 2007, a team of researchers at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children made the first genetic discovery regarding scoliosis. They identified a gene associated with idiopathic scoliosis. What this means has yet to be determined.
What are the Symptoms? -
Once a person has reached skeletal maturity, the likelihood of scoliosis worsening is slim. Some people with severe scoliosis can have issues with lung capacity and pressure on the heart. In some cases, it restricts physical movement.
The more common symptoms include:
” Uneven leg lengths
” Different sized or asymmetric location of breast in females
” Uneven musculature
” A prominent rib or shoulder blade
” Slow nerve actions
It is important to note that some people have no symptoms at all.
How is Scoliosis Diagnosed? -
A test known as the Adams Forward Bend Test is often given in schools. The child takes their shirt off and bends forward. If anything is noticed, the parents are notified. Then the parents will need to take the child for an x-ray for further diagnosis.
X-rays are the easiest and the most accurate way to get a scoliosis diagnosis. Several x-rays are taken and the curvature in the spine is measured. Depending on the outcome, further test may be required to seek out an underlying condition.
Is Surgery Required? -
Traditionally, surgery is used as a last resort. Even then, it is only done when there is a high degree of curvature (45-50 degrees or more.)
Depending on the degree of curvature, the doctor may recommend observation or bracing. Generally, bracing is done when a child is still growing. The brace prevents the curve from getting worse.
The success of a brace has little to do with the brace itself but more with the child. The child will need to wear the brace for 22 to 23 hours each day. When this is followed, the brace has highly effective results. On the other hand, due to the nature of the brace and peer pressure, children often have a hard time dealing with wearing a brace for so long. Therefore, not all children wear it properly.
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