Scoliosis in Children
WHAT IS SCOLIOSIS IN CHILDREN? Scoliosis is simply defined as an abnormal curvature of the spinal cord (backbone), making it form a ‘C’ or an ‘S’ shape, twisting right, left, or both sides. This medical condition often occurs during the period before puberty. It is not a rare deformity, because it happens in about 20% […] Read More
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Scoliosis in Children
WHAT IS SCOLIOSIS IN CHILDREN?
Scoliosis is simply defined as an abnormal curvature of the spinal cord (backbone), making it form a ‘C’ or an ‘S’ shape, twisting right, left, or both sides.
This medical condition often occurs during the period before puberty. It is not a rare deformity, because it happens in about 20% of the world’s population every year (approximately 2.5% of the United States population).
Scoliosis usually feels tightness or stiffness in the lower back, and the ligaments in that region will begin to become strained and stretch. When this abnormal curvature occurs, its patient or victim may be given benefits of disability, such as financial security and medical coverage. Scoliosis tends to worsen as your child ages. It could be gotten from birth, but may not show drastically until the age of 10.
Scoliosis in children affects the entire skeletal system because the spine connects the whole skeleton. The spine is like the heart of the skeleton, and all bones cut their branches from it, so when the spine starts malfunctioning, the whole skeletal system is affected. Skeletal scoliosis affects your child’s pattern of walking, sitting, standing, and normal posture. It also affects the structure of their facial nerves.
In worst or rare cases, scoliosis leads to a fatal explosion of the chest wall. It is much better to notice the disability at its early stages and treat it as soon as you notice; if not, severe damages may be the subsequent result.
In some cases, scoliosis may be genetic or hereditary. Scoliosis can run in families, though most children affected do not have any family history of the disorder. The chance of getting genital scoliosis is quite rare, especially when your family tree has never been affected by the disability, although there is a nearly 11% chance of getting it when your first-degree relative has it.
The spinal cord is divided into three sections, namely the cervical (neck and upper back), lumbar (lower back), and thoracic (middle back) sections.
TYPES OF SCOLIOSIS
Scoliosis is made up of different types, some of which include:
- Thoracolumbar Scoliosis in Children
- Thoracic Scoliosis in Children
- Lumbar Scoliosis
- Congenital Scoliosis in Children
- Early-Onset Scoliosis in Children
- Adolescent / Idiopathic Scoliosis.
- Adult / Degenerative Scoliosis.
- Neuromuscular Scoliosis.
- Syndromic Scoliosis.
- Loss of balance.
- Abdominal pains.
- Damaged posture.
- Emotional insecurity.
- Weakness and fatigue.
- Pains in the lower back.
- Uneven weight distribution.
- Persistent pain in regions of spinal twisting.
- Leaking spinal fluid.
- Lung infections, such as pneumonia.
- Heart problems such as heart failure.
- Spinal infections (after surgery).
- Breathing issues (in severe scoliosis).
- Spinal cord damages.
- Increased self-consciousness.
- Low self-esteem, as a result of suffering from the hunchback.
- Age.
- Curve location and severity.
- Gender.
- Genetics (this is rare, and does not happen often).
- Family records.
- Physical examination.
- Checking the family history.
- Scoliosis screening via x-ray.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Braces.
- Physical therapy for scoliosis in children used for straightening the spine.
- Stand upright with your weight situated on the padded portion of the sole of your feet (between the toes and the arch).
- Stretch your feet to the length of both your shoulders.
- Avoid putting your knees in full extension, in a way that your legs are completely straight since this causes stress on your knee joints.
- Put your arms down freely on both sides of your body.
- Take your chin back to meet with the same level as the rest of your head.
- Keep sleeping on hard surfaces, such as the floor.
- Lie on your back and bend your knees slightly.
- Keep your head on a pillow while lying straight on your back, even if this hurts a little.
- Regularly hang under a strong beam for about a minute or two.
- Try keeping your chest 90° to the floor.
- Avoid high-heeled shoes of any sort.
- Always move around, as inactivity can tense up the spine.
- Keep following the above routine for about two months.
- Spinal fusion surgery
- Bleeding.
- Paralysis.
- Blood clots.
- Nerve damage.
- Pains in the spine.
- Death (in worst cases).
- Infections in the spine.
- Loss of vision and balance.
- Cerebrospinal fluid leakage.
- Worsening symptoms (if treated improperly).
Symptoms
SYMPTOMS OF SCOLIOSIS IN CHILDREN
To ascertain the presence of scoliosis in children, symptoms have to be present. The early signs of scoliosis in children may include:
- Tilted head.
- Uneven ribs.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Stomach cramps.
- Uneven waist skin folds.
- Uneven shoulders.
- The belly button is not located in the center.
- Bulging muscles in the lower back.
- Unfitting clothes.
- Visibly curved backbone.
- Ribs sticking out at one side of the torso.
- Dimples on the back.
- Sore or stiff back.
Causes
WHAT CAUSES SCOLIOSIS IN CHILDREN?
Although the main underlying causes of scoliosis in children are not known, the following are possible to cause the medical condition:
- Injuries.
- Tumors.
- Infections.
- Different shoulder heights.
- Different hip lengths.
- Abnormalities in the muscles and nerves supporting the spine.
- Hereditary or genetics (less often).
- Weakened immune system.
- Different lengths in both legs.
- Underlying conditions such as:
- Cerebral palsy.
- Muscular dystrophy.
FAQ
Can schistosomiasis infection cause scoliosis in children?
Of course, schistosomiasis can cause scoliosis in form of back pains. It is one of the most common causes of the abnormal curvature of the spine. Schistosomes, parasites that cause schistosomiasis, lead to increased developmental malformations (such as scoliosis) in children.
Can scoliosis be cured?
It is unsure to say that scoliosis can be completely cured, but it can surely be slowed down or halted. However, if scoliosis develops before the age of 11, it can probably be cured wholly. Early-onset scoliosis happens to be mostly mild, although it could progress over time if left untreated. Pediatric scoliosis is hard to cure.
Can scoliosis worsen as you age?
Scoliosis worsens as you age, and can last for years or life. Scoliosis gets chronic after reached its critical stage known as severe scoliosis, in which the spine curves left, right or both sides in an alarming degree of more than 40°. Treatment is immediately needed when scoliosis progresses to 80°. Scoliosis can die when his/her spine curves at 100°. At this point, the spine can rupture.
Can scoliosis cure itself?
Scoliosis cannot cure itself and neither can it be fully cured, except at early onset. As scoliosis progresses, it climbs up the mild ladder and reaches a moderate level. Once it crosses this level, severe scoliosis needs to be treated to halt the spurt of the disorder.
What degree of scoliosis requires treatment?
The severe degree of scoliosis requires immediate treatment, once the spine curves at more than 40°. Once it crosses this degree, scoliosis begins to progress faster until it reaches 100°. To this degree, the patient can die without careful tr