In severe scoliosis, the symptoms associated with mild and moderate scoliosis are amplified, with increasing potential for some additional complications:. To answer the question plainly of if scoliosis gets worse over time: yes, as a progressive condition, virtually all cases of scoliosis will get worse at some point, especially if left untreated.
For adolescents entering into the puberty stage of rapid growth and development, this age group is at the highest risk of rapid progression; adults who have reached skeletal maturity tend to progress slower, but even with slow progression, the cumulative effects of progressing as little as.
Scoliosis Severity Classification The first important thing to understand about scoliosis is how much it can range in severity from one person to the next. A Mild Scoliosis Diagnosis In order to get a scoliosis diagnosis, a couple of parameters have to be met. Functional Treatment and Mild Scoliosis Those opting for the functional treatment approach we offer here at the Scoliosis Reduction Center would experience things very differently.
The most commonly observed signs of mild scoliosis include: Clothing fitting unevenly Impairment to balance and coordination Changes to gait Head seeming uncentered over the body Arms and legs that seem to hang at different lengths Rib arch Uneven hips Asymmetrical waste One shoulder blade protruding more than the other Basically, an overall asymmetry of the body is the biggest indication that scoliosis is present.
Moderate Scoliosis The next stage in the progressive line of scoliosis is moderate scoliosis. Again, the way the two dominant treatment approaches address this stage is very different.
Traditional Treatment for Moderate Scoliosis Even with a moderate scoliosis diagnosis, the traditional treatment approach would still be mainly observing at this point. At this stage, posture suffers more and sets adolescents apart from their peers. Functional Treatment for Severe Scoliosis For those following our functional treatment approach, if we have been successful , which we very often are, our patient would have never reached this point in their progressive line. Conclusion To answer the question plainly of if scoliosis gets worse over time: yes, as a progressive condition, virtually all cases of scoliosis will get worse at some point, especially if left untreated.
More About Me Contact Us. Nalda to chiropractic care. After experiencing life changing results, he set his sights on helping others who face debilitating illness through providing more natural approaches. After receiving an undergraduate degree in psychology and his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Life University, Dr. His experience with patients suffering from scoliosis, and the confusion and frustration they faced, led him to seek a specialty in scoliosis care.
Our team, under the leadership of Dr. Tony Nalda, is focused on treating your scoliosis in the most patient-centered, effective manner possible. Search for:. Celebration, FL. But in some cases congenital curves do not get worse. And some curves that are present during infancy get better on their own without treatment. If you suspect that your child has a spinal curve, ask a health professional to look at it.
Early detection could lead to early treatment and could prevent a curve from getting worse. If the results of a school screening program suggest that your child may have a spinal curve, follow up with your doctor. Most curves that are found through school screening programs are normal variations in the spine or mild scoliosis, and these curves usually need only regular observation. A doctor who specializes in surgery of the bones orthopedic surgeon may be consulted if the person has a moderate curve or if the curve is getting worse.
The orthopedic surgeon will evaluate the curve and may recommend bracing or surgery. A health professional who fits people with specially designed assistive devices orthotist can build and fit a custom brace. Scoliosis testing usually begins with a history and physical exam. This includes the forward-bending test, a simple test in which the child bends forward at the waist, arms hanging loosely and palms touching, and the examiner looks for unevenness in the child's back or ribs.
A scoliometer can be used to measure and estimate the rotation of the spinal curve. If the findings of the history and physical exam show a significant spinal curve, an X-ray of the spine may be taken to get a more precise measurement of the spinal curve. Skeletal age, as determined by the Risser sign, is also a helpful measure to find out the risk that the curve will get worse. Neurological testing may be done on children who have scoliosis to see if they have certain disorders that are often associated with scoliosis, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
Screening means doing a simple test to see if more testing might be needed. Some states require screening for scoliosis by law. But experts don't agree with whether or not to screen for scoliosis.
But screening can also lead to more testing or treatment for children who would not have needed it. Some experts believe that children should be screened for scoliosis regularly throughout their preteen and teen years. If you are concerned about screening for scoliosis, talk to your child's doctor.
The goal of treatment for scoliosis is to prevent the spinal curve from getting worse and to correct or stabilize a severe spinal curve. Fortunately, few people who have spinal curves require treatment. The type of treatment depends on the cause of scoliosis. Scoliosis that is caused by another condition nonstructural scoliosis usually improves when the condition, such as muscle spasms or a difference in leg length, is treated.
Scoliosis that is caused by a disease or by an unknown factor structural scoliosis is more likely than nonstructural scoliosis to need treatment. Treatment is based on the child's age, the size of the curve , and the risk of progression. The risk of progression is based on age at diagnosis, the size of the curve as measured using X-rays of the spine , and skeletal age which can be determined by the Risser sign.
The timing of surgery for scoliosis in children is controversial. Spinal fusion stops the growth of the fused part of the spine, so some experts believe that surgery should be delayed until the child is at least 10 years old and preferably But even after surgery the rest of the spine will continue to grow normally in children who are still growing.
If your child or teen has been diagnosed with mild scoliosis, it is important that a doctor check the child's spine every 4 to 6 months to see whether the curve is getting worse. Most spinal curves do not progress to the point where treatment is needed. But it is important to check for curve progression, because early treatment can often stop it.
Treatment for moderate or severe scoliosis can dramatically impact your child's life. If your child has scoliosis, it is important that your family be sensitive to the difficulty of having scoliosis and wearing a brace. A scoliosis clinic, where other children are being treated, can provide a supportive environment for your child. When back pain is present with scoliosis, it may be that the curve in the spine is causing stress and pressure on the spinal discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments, or facet joints.
Some people may use nonprescription medicines such as naproxen or ibuprofen to treat back pain. While these medicines may relieve symptoms of back pain temporarily, they do not heal scoliosis or back injuries.
And they don't stop the pain from coming back. Surgery may be used to treat severe scoliosis. The goal of surgery is to improve a severe spinal curve. The result will not be a perfectly straight spine, but the goal is to balance the spine and to make sure the curve does not get worse. Surgery usually involves stabilizing the spine and keeping the curve from getting worse by permanently joining the vertebrae together. The main type of surgery for scoliosis involves attaching rods to the spine and doing a spinal fusion.
Spinal fusion is used to stabilize and reduce the size of the curve and stop the curve from getting worse by permanently joining the vertebrae into a solid mass of bone. Other techniques are sometimes used, including instrumentation without fusion, which attaches devices such as metal rods to the spine to stabilize a spinal curve without fusing the spine together.
This is only done in very young children when a fusion, which stops the growth of the fused part of the spine, is not desirable.
The child usually has to wear a brace full-time after having this surgery. Spinal fusion stops the growth of the fused part of the spine. So some experts believe that surgery should be delayed until the child is at least 10 years old and preferably Surgical treatment in children and teens usually requires several days in the hospital and limitations on activity for about a year. Treatment other than surgery for scoliosis includes observation.
In a child who is still growing, a mild spinal curve may need only regular checkups every 4 to 6 months to see if the curve is getting worse. There is no evidence that corrective exercises, electrical stimulation, or spinal manipulation are effective treatments for scoliosis.
For children with moderate curves, the research shows that wearing a brace generally works to keep curves from getting worse as the child grows. The more the child wears the brace, the better it works. But wearing a brace can be emotionally hard on preteens and teens, who don't like to feel different. So family support is important. A common reason for bracing not working well is that the child doesn't wear it as prescribed, usually because he or she is embarrassed. A brace can also be uncomfortable.
Keller MD - Orthopedics. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Scoliosis in Children and Teens. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is scoliosis? What causes scoliosis? What are the symptoms? You might notice these early signs: Your child has one shoulder or hip that looks higher than the other. Your child's head does not look centered over the body. Your child has one shoulder blade that sticks out more than the other. Your child's waistline is flat on one side, or the ribs look higher on one side when your child bends forward at the waist.
How is scoliosis diagnosed? How is it treated? What increases the risk of scoliosis? Your child's chances of scoliosis increase if: One of the bones in your child's spine has moved forward out of place compared to the rest of the spine.
Your child's arms or legs are missing or are abnormally short. Your child has a disorder that affects the nerves, muscles, or bones. Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.
How to find us Scoliosis What is Scoliosis? How can I check for Scoliosis? Adult Scoliosis Juvenille Scoliosis. Observation Surgery Bracing Scoliosis Exercise. Bracing and Exercise 44 - 38 curve in 8 months Kyphosis Bracing. Do I have scoliosis? Try our free scoliscreen app - screen for scoliosis easily, from your own home.
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