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Scoliosis tends to develop gradually. Before a sideways curve or rotation in the spine is visible,
the following subtle signs may be noticeable:
Back braces may be recommended for children and adolescents with small to moderate curves (up to 40 degrees) who are still growing. They are especially beneficial during growth spurts. In many cases they can slow down or stop progression of curves, potentially avoiding the need for surgery. There are various types of braces, and they are more effective the more hours per day that they are worn.
The Rigo Cheneau brace is one type of brace successfully used at Neuro Spinal Hospital. It is made of a light plastic material moulded to a patient’s shape. These types of braces are custom made for each individual patient to apply corrective pressure to the selected areas to slow progression of, or even partially correct, spinal curves and rotations. Rigo Cheneau braces are designed to provide comfort, room for growth, and minimal restriction of movement. They are usually worn for 16-24 hours per day until a child stops growing.
Physiotherapy with scoliosis-specific exercises can help to strengthen the muscles of the back to better support the spine and improve posture. This type of therapy is often recommended in conjunction with bracing.
Spinal Fusion is the standard surgical procedure for scoliosis. This involves using metal rods, hooks and screws to hold the vertebrae (bones of the spine) in a corrected position to reduce the curvature and stop it getting worse. A bone graft is placed into the spaces between the vertebrae so that, over the following months, the bones grow together to form a solid bone.
Spinal fusion surgery is often performed via an incision down the middle of the back (posterior) but may also be done via an anterior approach, from the front or side.
Spinal fusion is a well-established procedure with a long-term record for safety and efficacy. Fusion of bone stops the part of the spine which is operated on growing. There may be some loss of flexibility in the area, but this is usually small and does not affect everyday activities.
Growing rods may be used to stabilize the spine in growing children who are too young for spinal fusion. They are attached to the spine and lengthened as a child grows. MAGEC™ (MAGnetic Expansion Control), is a magnetically driven rod, which can be lengthened without additional surgical procedures. Spinal fusion may be required when growth has stopped.
Scoliosis tends to develop gradually. Before a sideways curve or rotation in the spine is visible, the following subtle signs may be noticeable:
or uneven shoulders
or more prominent
With more severe sideways curvatures, the bones of the spine (vertebrae) become twisted and can pull the ribs round with them, which may cause a lump to form on the person’s back or the back to appear rounded.
The spine can curve to the left or the right and different parts of the spine may be affected. A sideways curve in the lower spine is called ‘lumbar’ scoliosis. When the chest area is affected, it is called ‘thoracic’ scoliosis. A large thoracic curve can affect how well the lungs work.
There may be one sideways curvature, giving a ‘C’ shaped appearance, or a double curvature, which may give the spine an ‘S’ shape when viewed from behind. A double curvature may be less noticeable as the two curves may appear to cancel each other out.
is by far the most common type, affecting as many as 4 out of 100 children 1 between the ages of 10 and18.
when a curve in the spine appears between birth and age 10 (or before puberty) is also usually idiopathic.
is typically due to a spinal abnormality in the development of the spine before birth. It is relatively rare, affecting only 1 in 10,000 new-borns.
develops secondary to a neurological or muscular disease, such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. This type of scoliosis tends to progress more rapidly.
develops secondary to a syndrome, such as connective tissue disorders (Marfan’s and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), Rett’s syndrome and Beale’s syndrome.
also called adult-onset scoliosis, or de novo scoliosis, develops later in life due to uneven degeneration of the joints and discs in the spine, leading to a sideways curvature.
Learn more about Scoliosis
The causes, Symptoms, Signs and more.
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