Scoliosis is a term taken from a Greek word meaning curvature. During the 19th Century physicians thought poor posture was the primary cause of scoliosis. Today scoliosis is known to be either congenital (present at birth) or developmental and may be hereditary. The disease causes the spine to curve laterally (to the side) usually in the shape of an "S" or "C". The curve is measured in degrees. Some curves are severe.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type of spinal curvature. It occurs around the onset of puberty in otherwise healthy boys and girls. It is more common in girls. The reasons of these are not known. Physical signs may include uneven shoulders, one hip lower than the other, a rib hump when bent over at the waist and leaning to one side.

Whatever the patient's age, the goal is to stabilize the spine to prevent additional curvature. Some patients with scoliosis are pain free and do not seek treatment until deformity is noticed. Unfortunately, at that point it may be too late to treat the disease. The size of the curve is measured in degrees on an x-ray. The progression of scoliosis is monitored by periodic x-ray studies. When scoliosis is severe it may cause the spine to rotate, which can cause spinal spacing to narrow on the opposite side of the body.

While minor deformities may be treated non operatively more severe and progressive ones require surgery.

 

Idiopathic scoliosis

A 17 year old girl with severe deformity (idiopathic scoliosis). She had to undergo complicated and major corrective surgery done on the front of the spine as well as back. A simpler surgery would have sufficed if her deformity had been treated at a younger age.