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Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a condition that affects nearly 3% of people in the United States. That’s about 7 million individuals with abnormal spine curvature.

Scoliosis often develops in early adolescence, and women tend to be more prone to scoliosis that progresses to the point of treatment. Scoliosis can limit your activity level, cause pain and diminish self-esteem. Once scoliosis is detected, it should be closely monitored.

The spine surgeons at Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona offer expert diagnosis and observation in the event that your spinal curvature progresses and needs treatment.

What Is Scoliosis?

To understand scoliosis, one must first know what a healthy spine looks like. When viewed sideways, a normal spine has both inward and outward curves. From behind, healthy spines are generally straight. Scoliosis describes any sideways curvature of the spine. The abnormal curve can happen at any level in the spine but is most common at chest level or in the low back. The spinal curve can develop in a few different ways, such as a single curve shaped like the letter C or two curves that appear more like the letter S.

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Who does scoliosis affect?
The primary age of onset for scoliosis is during the growth spurt that occurs before puberty, from 10 to 15 years old. However, the condition can also impact infants, adolescents and adults.

What Are the Causes of Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is most often defined by its causes.

Idiopathic scoliosis

This type of scoliosis has no known cause. Approximately 80% of scoliosis cases are considered idiopathic, with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis as the most common type. It’s usually diagnosed during puberty when all other causes are excluded.

Congenital scoliosis

This type results from a malformation of one or more vertebrae in the womb, causing curvature or other spine deformities.

Neuromuscular scoliosis

This type of scoliosis is secondary to a neurological or muscular disease, such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy or spinal cord trauma. It often requires surgical treatment.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Scoliosis in the Back

In most children or teens, there are no noticeable symptoms associated with scoliosis. The spine’s curvature generally causes no pain or very mild pain. Without testing, the condition may go unrecognized until it progresses significantly.

The Adam’s Forward Bend Test, where patients bend at the waist and touch their toes, is often used to diagnose scoliosis. An X-ray can also reveal spine curvature.

Other observable signs of scoliosis may include:

  • One shoulder blade lifts above the other
  • One shoulder blade extends out farther than the other
  • One side of rib cage lifts higher than the other
  • One hip is higher than the other
  • Uneven waist
  • Body tilt
  • A leg appears shorter or longer than the other

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Treatment Options for Scoliosis in Arizona

Scoliosis is a multifactorial disorder, which requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. At DISC, our first aim is to assess or confirm a scoliosis diagnosis before proceeding with treatment. Once verified, several variables must be considered to help us determine your treatment options:

  • Spinal maturity: Whether or not the spine is still growing and changing.
  • Potential of curve progression: The likelihood of a curve progressing to the point of treatment.
  • Degree of curve: The severity of the curvature and how it impacts a patient’s well-being.
  • Location: The region of the spine where the curve is located. Thoracic curves are more likely to progress.

Once these factors are assessed, there are three orthopedically approved options for combating scoliosis — observation, bracing or surgery.

Observation

The spinal curve in many young people is mild enough not to warrant treatment. However, if your orthopedic surgeon is concerned that the curve may worsen, patients will continue to be observed with periodic assessments.

Bracing

Braces are an effective treatment option that can prevent a curve from progressing. This option is generally used for those who have not reached skeletal maturity. However, braces can also play a minor role in adult treatment. Braces should be checked regularly by your spine care doctor and worn at least 16 hours every day until growth stops.

Surgery

A minimal number of scoliosis patients require surgery to correct the curve or address scoliosis-related issues. Some patients experience a pinched nerve or a narrowing of the foramen due to their scoliosis.

At DISC, our doctors are leaders in endoscopic spine surgery, which for some select patients can be used to decompress a pinched nerve.

If back bracing does not correct debilitating spinal curves, a spinal fusion has shown to be very successful in stopping the progression of spine curvature. Spinal fusion surgery is able to straighten the curved spine, significantly improving the patient’s quality of life.

Find Compassionate Doctors Who Treat Scoliosis in AZ

Cutting-edge scoliosis treatment is available from the specialists at DISC in the Phoenix, AZ area.

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