UNDERSTANDING SCOLIOSIS: SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Scoliosis is a condition that causes a person's spine to curve sideways, forming an “S” or “C” shape, instead of being straight.

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These curves may cause your shoulders or hips to be uneven, depending on where your curves are located in your spine. Idiopathic scoliosis is by far the most common kind of scoliosis.

“Idiopathic” means that the cause is not known, and it develops most frequently in preteens or teenagers. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is 10 times more common in girls than boys. Infantile idiopathic scoliosis is found in children aged 0 to 3, juvenile idiopathic scoliosis is found in in children aged 4 to 10 and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is found in adolescents aged 11 to18.

Adult idiopathic scoliosis is found in patients older than 18 years. Understanding the symptoms, how it's diagnosed, and the treatment options available can help parents as well as caregivers manage this condition.

What causes Scoliosis?

Conditions known to cause scoliosis are congenital spinal column abnormalities, neurological disorders, muscular diseases, genetic conditions and a multitude of other causes such as infections or fractures involving the spine.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

The symptoms of scoliosis may vary from person to person, but some common signs include:

1. Uneven Shoulders: One shoulder may appear higher than the other.

2. Uneven Hips: One hip may seem higher or stick out more than the other.

3. Leaning to One Side: Children with scoliosis may lean to one side, even when standing up straight.

4. Visible Spine Curvature: In more noticeable cases, the spine may curve, and this could be visible when the child bends forward.