The curve is measured by the Cobb Method and is diagnosed in terms of severity by the number of degrees. Scoliosis is usually confirmed through a physical examination, an x-ray, spinal radiograph, CT scan or MRI. Recent reports on pulmonary function testing in patients with mild to moderate idiopathic scoliosis showed diminished pulmonary function. If a patient with diagnosed idiopathic scoliosis has more than mild back discomfort, a thorough evaluation for another cause of pain is advised.ĭue to changes in the shape and size of the thorax, idiopathic scoliosis may affect pulmonary function. Ten percent of these patients were found to have an underlying associated condition such as spondylolisthesis, syringomyelia, tethered cord, herniated disc or spinal tumor. In one study, about 23 percent of patients with idiopathic scoliosis presented with back pain at the time of initial diagnosis. The appearance or texture of the skin overlying the spine changes (dimples, hairy patches, color abnormalities).One or both hips are raised or unusually high.Head is not centered directly above the pelvis.Shoulders are uneven – one or both shoulder blades may stick out.If one or more of the following signs is noticed, schedule an appointment with a doctor. There are several signs that may indicate the possibility of scoliosis. This type of scoliosis generally progresses more rapidly than idiopathic scoliosis and often requires surgical treatment. This includes scoliosis associated with cerebral palsy, spinal cord trauma, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy and spina bifida. Neuromuscular scoliosis encompasses scoliosis that is secondary to neurological or muscular diseases. Because these abnormalities are present at birth, congenital scoliosis is usually detected at a younger age than idiopathic scoliosis. The geometry and location of the abnormalities determine the rate at which the scoliosis progresses in magnitude as the child grows. The vertebral abnormalities cause curvature and other deformities of the spine because one area of the spinal column lengthens at a slower rate than the rest. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type of scoliosis and is usually diagnosed during puberty.Ĭongenital scoliosis results from embryological malformation of one or more vertebrae and may occur in any location of the spine. Idiopathic scoliosis is the diagnosis when all other causes are excluded and comprises about 80 percent of all cases. Scoliosis can be classified by etiology: idiopathic, congenital or neuromuscular. The axial plane is parallel to the plane of the ground and at right angles to the coronal and sagittal planes. The sagittal plane divides the body into right and left halves. The coronal plane is a vertical plane from head to foot and parallel to the shoulders, dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. While the degree of curvature is measured on the coronal plane, scoliosis is actually a more complex, three-dimensional problem which involves the following planes: Scoliosis is often defined as spinal curvature in the “coronal” (frontal) plane. These natural curves position the head over the pelvis and work as shock absorbers to distribute mechanical stress during movement. The spine's normal curves occur at the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions in the so-called “sagittal” plane. It is most often diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence. Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. Scoliosis | American Association of Neurological Surgeons
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