Scoliosis
Definition
Scoliosis is a side-to-side curvature of the spine.
Description
When viewed from the rear, the spine usually appears perfectly straight. Scoliosis is a lateral (side-to-side) curve in the spine, usually combined with a rotation of the vertebrae. (The lateral curvature of scoliosis should not be confused with the normal set of front-to-back spinal curves visible from the side.) While a small degree of lateral curvature does not cause any medical problems, larger curves can cause postural imbalance and lead to muscle
fatigue and
pain. More severe scoliosis can interfere with breathing and lead to arthritis of the spine (spondylosis).
Approximately 10% of all adolescents have some degree of scoliosis, though fewer than 1% have curves which require medical attention beyond monitoring. Scoliosis is found in both boys and girls, but a girl's spinal curve is much more likely to progress than a boy's. Girls require scoliosis treatment about five times as often. The reason for these differences is not known.
Causes and symptoms
Four out of five cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown. While idiopathic scoliosis tends to run in families, no responsible genes had been identified as of 1997. Children with idiopathic scoliosis appear to be otherwise entirely healthy, and have not had any bone or joint disease early in life. Scoliosis is not caused by poor posture, diet, or carrying a heavy bookbag exclusively on one shoulder.
Idiopathic scoliosis is further classified according to age of onset:
- Infantile. Curvature appears before age three. This type is quite rare in the United States, but is more common in Europe.
- Juvenile. Curvature appears between ages 3 and 10. This type may be equivalent to the adolescent type, except for the age of onset.
- Adolescent. Curvature appears between ages of 10 and 13, near the beginning of puberty. This is the most common type of idiopathic scoliosis.
- Adult. Curvature begins after physical maturation is completed.
Causes are known for three other types of scoliosis:
- Congenital scoliosis is due to congenital abnormal formation of the bones of the spine, and is often associated with other organ defects.
- Neuromuscular scoliosis is due to loss of control of the nerves or muscles which support the spine. The most common causes of this type of scoliosis are cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.
- Degenerative scoliosis may be caused by degeneration of the discs which separate the vertebrae or arthritis in the joints that link them.
Scoliosis causes a noticeable asymmetry in the torso when viewed from the front or back. The first sign of scoliosis is often seen when a child is wearing a bathing suit or underwear. A child may appear to be standing with one shoulder higher than the other, or to have a tilt in the waistline. One shoulder blade may appear more prominent than the other due to rotation. In girls, one breast may appear higher than the other, or larger if rotation pushes that side forward.
Curve progression is greatest near the adolescent growth spurt. Scoliosis that begins early on is more likely to progress significantly than scoliosis that begins later in puberty.
More than 30 states have screening programs in schools for adolescent scoliosis, usually conducted by trained school nurses or gym teachers.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis for scoliosis is done by an orthopedist. A complete medical history is taken, including questions about family history of scoliosis. The
physical examination includes determination of pubertal development in adolescents, a neurological exam (which may reveal a neuromuscular cause), and measurements of trunk asymmetry. Examination of the trunk is done while the patient is standing, bending over, and lying down, and involves both visual inspection and use of a simple mechanical device called a scoliometer.
If a curve is detected, one or more x rays will usually be taken to define the curve or curves more precisely. An x ray is used to document spinal maturity, any pelvic tilt or hip asymmetry, and the location, extent, and degree of curvature. The curve is defined in terms of where it begins and ends, in which direction it bends, and by an angle measure known as the Cobb angle. The Cobb angle is found by projecting lines parallel to the vertebrae tops at the extremes of the curve; projecting perpendiculars from these lines; and measuring the angle of intersection. To properly track the progress of scoliosis, it is important to project from the same points of the spine each time.
Occasionally,
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used, primarily to look more closely at the condition of the spinal cord and nerve roots extending from it if neurological problems are suspected.
Treatment
Treatment decisions for scoliosis are based on the degree of curvature, the likelihood of significant progression, and the presence of pain, if any.
Curves less than 20 degrees are not usually treated, except by regular follow-up for children who are still growing. Watchful waiting is usually all that is required in adolescents with curves of 20-30 degrees, or adults with curves up to 40 degrees or slightly more, as long as there is no pain.
For children or adolescents whose curves progress to 30 degrees, and who have a year or more of growth left, bracing may be required. Bracing cannot correct curvature, but may be effective in halting or slowing progression. Bracing is rarely used in adults, except where pain is significant and surgery is not an option, as in some elderly patients.
Two general styles of braces are used for daytime wear. The Milwaukee brace consists of metal uprights attached to pads at the hips, rib cage, and neck. The underarm brace uses rigid plastic to encircle the lower rib cage, abdomen, and hips. Both these brace types hold the spine in a vertical position. Because it can be worn out of sight beneath clothing, the underarm brace is better tolerated and often leads to better compliance. A third style, the Charleston bending brace, is used at night to bend the spine in the opposite direction. Braces are often prescribed to be worn for 22-23 hours per day, though some clinicians allow or encourage removal of the brace for
exercise.
Bracing may be appropriate for scoliosis due to some types of neuromuscular disease, including spinal muscular atrophy, before growth is finished. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is not treated by bracing, since surgery is likely to be required, and since later surgery is complicated by loss of respiratory capacity.
Surgery for idiopathic scoliosis is usually recommended if:
- the curve has progressed despite bracing
- the curve is greater than 40-50 degrees before growth has stopped in an adolescent
- the curve is greater than 50 degrees and continues to increase in an adult
- there is significant pain
Orthopedic surgery for neuromuscular scoliosis is often done earlier. The goals of surgery are to correct the deformity as much as possible, to prevent further deformity, and to eliminate pain as much as possible. Surgery can usually correct 40-50% of the curve, and sometimes as much as 80%. Surgery cannot always completely remove pain.
The surgical procedure for scoliosis is called spinal fusion, because the goal is to straighten the spine as much as possible, and then to fuse the vertebrae together to prevent further curvature. To achieve fusion, the involved vertebra are first exposed, and then scraped to promote regrowth. Bone chips are usually used to splint together the vertebrae to increase the likelihood of fusion. To maintain the proper spinal posture before fusion occurs, metal rods are inserted alongside the spine, and are attached to the vertebrae by hooks, screws, or wires. Fusion of the spine makes it rigid and resistant to further curvature. The metal rods are no longer needed once fusion is complete, but are rarely removed unless their presence leads to complications.
Spinal fusion leaves the involved portion of the spine permanently stiff and inflexible. While this leads to some loss of normal motion, most functional activities are not strongly affected, unless the very lowest portion of the spine (the lumbar region) is fused. Normal mobility, exercise, and even contact sports are usually all possible after spinal fusion. Full recovery takes approximately six months.
Alternative treatment
Numerous alternative therapies have been touted to provide relief and help for individuals with scoliosis, but none have been proven beneficial in clinical trials. These include massage, physical therapy, and electrical stimulation. In addition, alternatives such as physical therapy,
rolfing, or chiropractice manipulation may provide improved flexibility, stronger muscles, and pain relief, but cannot prevent or correct the curvature of the spine or its natural progression.
Although important for general health and strength, exercise has not been shown to prevent or slow the development of scoliosis. It may help relieve pain from scoliosis by helping to maintain range of motion. Aquatic exercise, in particular, can increase flexibility and improve posture, balance, coordination, and range of motion. Because it decreases joint compression, it can lessen the pain caused by scoliosis or surgery.
Good
nutrition is also important for general health, but no specific dietary regimen has been shown to control scoliosis development. In particular, dietary calcium levels do not influence scoliosis progression.
Chiropractic treatment may relieve pain, but it cannot halt scoliosis development, and should not be a substitute for conventional treatment of progressing scoliosis.
Acupuncture and
acupressure may also help reduce pain and discomfort, but they cannot halt scoliosis development either.
Prognosis
The prognosis for a person with scoliosis depends on many factors, including the age at which scoliosis begins and the treatment received. More importantly, mostly unknown individual factors affect the likelihood of progression and the severity of the curve. Most cases of mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis need no treatment and do not progress. Untreated severe scoliosis often leads to spondylosis, and may impair breathing. Degenerative arthritis of the spine,
sciatica, and severe physical deformities can also result if severe scoliosis is left untreated. Finally, scoliosis can also poorly affect the individual's self-esteem and cause serious emotional problems.
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent the development of scoliosis. Progression of scoliosis may be prevented through bracing or surgery.
Exercise and physical fitness are of paramount importance for all individuals affected with scoliosis. They not only work to maintain flexibility and health, but decrease the likelihood of
osteoporosis, which in these individuals, can be extremely debilitating.
Resources
Books
Lyons, Brooke, et al. Scoliosis: Ascending the Curve. New York: M. Evans & Co., 1999.
Periodicals
Bridwell, KH, et al., editors. "Parents' and Patients' Preferences and Concerns in Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis: A Cross-Sectional Preoperative Analysis." Spine 25, no. 18 (September 2000): 2392-9.
Organizations
American Physical Therapy Assocation. Scoliosis, P.O. Box 37257, Washington, DC 20013.
Center for Spinal Disorders, PC. 8515 Pearl Street, Suite 350, Thornton, CO 80229. (303) 287-2800; fax: (303) 287-7357. http://www.cntrforspinaldisorders.com.
National Scoliosis Foundation. 72 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02172. (617) 926-0397.
The Scoliosis Association. PO Box 811705, Boca Raton, FL 33481-0669. (407) 368-8518.
Other
"Chiropractic Treatment of Scoliosis." Scoliosis World.
Key terms
Cobb angle — A measure of the curvature of scoliosis, determined by measurements made on x rays.
Rolfing — A system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education to realign and reorient the body.
Scoliometer — A tool for measuring trunk asymmetry; it includes a bubble level and angle measure.
scoliosis
(sko?le-o'sis) [Gr. skoliosis, crookedness] 

SCOLIOSIS
A lateral curvature of the spine. It usually consists of two curves, the original abnormal curve and a compensatory curve in the opposite direction. Scoliosis may be functional, structural, or idiopathic. Functional (postural) scoliosis usually occurs as a result of a discrepancy in leg length and corrects when the patient bends toward the convex side. Structural scoliosis is related to vertebral bone deformities and thus does not correct with posture changes. Idiopathic scoliosis (the most common kind) may be transmitted as an autosomal dominant or multifactorial trait.
scoliotic,
adjectiveillustration;
Symptoms
Scoliosis rarely produces any symptoms until it is well established; then backache, fatigue, and dyspnea from ventilatory compromise may occur. Diagnosis is based on physical examination, anteroposterior and lateral spinal x-rays, and by using the Cobb method to measure the angle of curvature.
Treatment
Scoliosis may be treated through the use of a brace to straighten the abnormal spinal curvature or with corrective orthopedic surgery (e.g., the placement of a supportive rod along the spine or spinal fusion).
Patient care
Muscle strengthening exercises should be done daily while in and out of the brace. Follow-up assessment and brace adjustment should be done periodically. As the skeleton matures, brace wear is gradually reduced to night-time use only. Surgery is indicated for scoliosis that progresses despite bracing. Postoperative visits are required for several months to monitor correction stability. Provisions are made to assist the adolescent and family to meet the psychosocial needs associated with the illness. The patient and family are taught about treatment management (cast-care, brace-use, traction, electrical stimulation, or surgery), exercises, activity level, skin care, prevention of complications, and breathing exercises. When necessary, preoperative teaching is provided, including preanesthesia breathing exercises, post-operative use of an incentive spirometer, surgical pain management, and prevention of thromboembolic or other complications. Following surgery, all general patient care concerns apply.
Upon discharge, home-health care may be needed, and the school-age child or adolescent will require education in the home until he or she is able to return to school. Activity and activity limitations are explained, and diversional activities suggested. The patient is encouraged to provide self-care as much as possible. Wearing his/her own clothes, washing and styling his/her own hair, and applying make-up help to enhance morale. Educational and support resources are discussed with the patient and family. Pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners, school nurses, and other health professionals caring for children should include screening for scoliosis during physical examinations.
cicatricial scoliosis
Scoliosis due to fibrous scar tissue contraction resulting from necrosis.
congenital scoliosis
Scoliosis present at birth, usually the result of defective embryonic development of the spine.
coxitic scoliosis
Scoliosis in the lumbar spine caused by tilting of the pelvis caused by a hip disorder.
empyematic scoliosis
Scoliosis following empyema and retraction of one side of the chest.
functional scoliosis
Scoliosis that is caused not by actual spinal deformity but by another condition such as unequal leg lengths. The curve reduces when the other condition is ameliorated.
habit scoliosis
Scoliosis due to habitually assumed improper posture or position.
inflammatory scoliosis
Scoliosis caused by infection or inflammation near the spine, resulting in local muscle spasm.
ischiatic scoliosis
Scoliosis due to hip disease.
myopathic scoliosis
Scoliosis due to weakening of the spinal muscles.
neuropathic scoliosis
A structural scoliosis caused by congenital or acquired neurological disorders.
ocular scoliosis
Scoliosis from tilting of the head because of visual defects or extraocular muscle imbalance.
osteopathic scoliosis
Scoliosis caused by bony deformity of the spine.
See: structural scoliosisparalytic scoliosis
Scoliosis due to paralysis of muscles.
protective scoliosis
An acute side shifting of the lumbar spine, usually away from the side of pathology. The body is attempting to move a nerve root away from a bulging intervertebral disk herniation.
rachitic scoliosis
Scoliosis due to rickets.
sciatic scoliosis
The patient assumes a laterally bent posture to reduce sciatic nerve symptoms.
static scoliosis
Scoliosis due to a difference in the length of the legs.
structural scoliosis
An irreversible lateral spinal curvature that has a fixed rotation. The vertebral bodies rotate toward the convexity of the curve; the rotation results in a posterior rib hump in the thoracic region on the convex side of the curve. In structural scoliosis, the spine does not straighten when the patient bends.