Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine that can range from a barely perceptible condition to a serious deformity. The curvature may progress with age, and in very severe cases cause heart and lung problems. For this reason, early diagnosis and treatment are essential.
Why it should be is not known, but scoliosis appears in girls more often than in boys, starting between the ages of 10 and 14, and increasing until growth stops. It may be the result of a childhood disease such as juvenile arthritis or polio, but in the majority of cases the direct cause is unknown; the condition seems to run in families.
Scoliosis can be spotted by examining the curvature of a child’s sine as she bends over to touch the floor. But there are many other indications, including a shoulder that appears to be higher than to other, a hip that juts out when the child stands up, a hump on the back or a noticeably prominent shoulder blade, an arm that hangs at a lower level than the other, or an unusual gait.
TREATMENT
There are several treatment alternatives for scoliosis; the one a doctor chooses depends on the type and severity of the curvature. In mild cases, regular medical checkup and physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine may be all that is necessary. When the curvature is more pronounced, the stand treatment involves the wearing of a brace to realign the spine gradually.
People with scoliosis often have muscle imbalances that cause the spine to curve towards the stronger side. This problem is usually treated with physiotherapy and exercise. A new treatment involves electric stimulation of the muscles on the weaker side, in the hope that they will pull the spin towards the center of the back. In extreme cases, surgery may be required to correct the curvature.