Scoliosis
Scoliosis Treatments, Pain, Exercise
Scoliosis Non Surgical Options
- Adult Scoliosis
- Congenital Scoliosis
- Degenerative Scoliosis
- Idiopathic Scoliosis - AIS
- Neuromuscular Scoliosis
- Pregnancy & Scoliosis
- Scheuermann's Kyphosis
- Teens with Scoliosis
- Anatomy of Cervical Spine
- Celebrities with Scoliosis
- Flatback Syndrome
- Living with Scoliosis
- Overcompensation Syndrome
- Scoliosis Curve Types
- Scoliosis Definitions
- Scoliosis FAQs
- Scoliosis History
- Scoliosis in Males
- Scoliosis Surgery
- Scoliosis Tests for pain
- Tissue Abnormalities
- What is Scoliosis?
- Who gets Scoliosis?
Idiopathic Scoliosis
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis is present in 2 to 4 percent of children between 10 and 16 years of age. It is defined as a lateral curvature of the spine greater than 10 degrees accompanied by vertebral rotation. It is thought to be a multigene dominant condition with variable phenotypic expression.
Scoliosis can be identified by the Adam's forward bend test during physical examination. Severe pain, a left thoracic curve or an abnormal neurologic examination are red flags that point to a secondary cause for spinal deformity.
Specialty consultation and magnetic resonance imaging are needed if red flags are present. Of adolescents diagnosed with Scoliosis, only 10 percent have curves that progress and require medical intervention. The main risk factors for curve progression are a large curve magnitude, skeletal immaturity and female gender. The likelihood of curve progression can be estimated by measuring the curve magnitude using the Cobb method on radiographs and by assessing skeletal growth potential using Tanner staging and Risser grading.
The Scoliosis Research Society has defined Scoliosis as a lateral curvature of the spine greater than 10 degrees as measured using the Cobb method on a standing radiograph. Idiopathic Scoliosis is a structural curve with no clear underlying cause. Secondary causes for scoliosis can usually be identified by radiography and clinical examination.
Scoliosis is present in 2 to 4 percent of children between 10 and 16 years of age. The ratio of girls to boys with small curves of 10 degrees is equal but increases to a ratio of 10 girls for every one boy with curves greater than 30 degrees. Scoliosis in girls tends to progress more often and, therefore, girls more commonly need treatment than boys. The prevalence of curves greater than 30 degrees is approximately 0.2 percent, and the prevalence for curves greater than 40 degrees is approximately 0.1 percent. Improved understanding of the natural history and prognosis of this disease can help the physician predict the patients with Scoliosis who need treatment.