Scoliosis

What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a condition that affects your spine, causing an abnormal sideways curve that often appears during the teenage years (10-15 years old). Even if scoliosis isn’t bothersome, monitoring it over time determines if the condition is worsening and whether treatment is needed to maintain the best quality of life possible. 

What are the symptoms of scoliosis?

Scoliosis can cause:

• Back pain
• Stiffness
• Numbness
• Shooting pain
• Visible irregular spinal curve
• Uneven shoulders or waist
• Abnormally raised hip(s)
• Rib cage differences
• Changes in the skin overlying spinal irregularities
• A body that leans to one side
• One prominent shoulder blade
• Other types of body asymmetry 

One side of your back may be more prominent when you bend forward. A child’s school might detect scoliosis during a routine screening.

What are the risk factors for scoliosis?

Idiopathic scoliosis often develops during the teenage years and may continue to progress over time, while degenerative scoliosis appears because of age-related spinal concerns.

Examples of scoliosis risk factors include:

• Previous surgery to the chest wall
• Genetics
• Neuromuscular conditions (muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, etc.)
• Spinal cord irregularities
• Spine infections or injuries
• Congenital disabilities involving the spine
• Degenerative disc disease
• Facet joint arthritis

Girls are more likely than boys to develop scoliosis requiring treatment. The risk of developing scoliosis increases if you have a family history of the disease. However, much of the time, the cause of scoliosis isn’t entirely clear. 

How is scoliosis diagnosed?

Diagnosing scoliosis typically involves a review of your symptoms and medical history and a physical exam to screen for visible signs of an abnormal sideways spine curvature. Dr. Verma might order imaging procedures to determine how severe your scoliosis is and how to best treat it. 

How is scoliosis treated?

Treating scoliosis may involve watchful waiting, bracing, or surgery. Dr. Verma offers spinal fusion, vertebral body tethering, expanding rods, and other minimally invasive procedures to restore spinal structure and function, lessen pain, and promote a better quality of life. He also offers revision spine surgery.

Dr. Verma uses the latest advances in scoliosis procedures, including computer-assisted spine surgery and real-time CT scans, to ensure the highest quality care and long-lasting outcomes. 

Schedule a scoliosis evaluation at Advanced Spine Care by calling the office or requesting one online today.