Scoliosis of the spine that continues to spread among 7 million of American population is a spinal condition where the backbone develops an abnormal curvature and appears to be like a corkscrew.
It can easily be detected by a quick scan of the body commonly used by doctors and health experts called the Adam's Forward Bend Test.
The patient is asked to bend forward with feet together, bending to 90 degrees at the waist.
From this view, the examiner which can be the parents themselves or nurse, any imbalances of the trunk or unusual curves can be a hint that scoliosis is present.
Scoliosis of the spine is common among girls compared to boys, and 85% of the recorded cases is reported to have unknown source, scientifically called idiopathic.
Health experts categorized idiopathic scoliosis by the age it starts to progress.
Children aging three years and below falls under infantile idiopathic scoliosis, from 3 to 9 years of age belongs to juvenile idiopathic while 10 years old and above is set to adolescent idiopathic category.
The 15% of scoliosis cases can either be functional or structural scoliosis.
The functional type is a short-term condition, where the spine is normal.
Muscle spasms or appendicitis makes one leg shorter that the other one, causing scoliosis of the spine but this does not require direct treatment on the spine, but on the part that causes the abnormality.
Structural type of scoliosis is a result of disease processes like birth defects, metabolic disorders, connective tissue diseases like Marfan's syndrome, and muscular dystrophy and needs more attention.
Scoliosis of the spine is also subdivided into various types based on the portion of the backbone the abnormal curves have developed.
Kyphosis or hunchback in Layman's term shows that the upper spine is externally twisted.
Lordosis, on the other hand called swayback showing that the vertebral column is crooked internally.
Scoliotic patients also might have inherited this spinal abnormality from their parents or from anyone of the same family circle.
Genetics is considered one of the main contributing factors to this abnormal spine condition.
So, people with this problem may have offspring in the future and have a great possibility that these children might also suffer the same condition.
Scoliosis of the spine is usually seen among young kids aging 10 years old, that is why screening procedures among educational institution is one way of detecting scoliosis so preventive measures can be made as soon as possible.
Orthopedist, a doctor who specializes in this case, can recommend certain procedure that is determined by the patient's condition.
Procedures to address scoliosis of the spine vary from different braces, therapies and surgical processes.
Braces for scoliosis do not directly correct the curves but they are used mainly to hold the spine in place, preventing it from getting worse.
Many of the braces are worn most of the time which also serves as posture corrective braces keeping the patient in the proper upright posture as much as possible.
Also, non-operative remedies include exercises like yoga, physical therapy and gentle chiropractic were tested to aid in alleviating these symptoms in some cases.
Surgery comes into scene if a tumor such as Osteoid Osteoma is the cause of the scoliosis.
The tumor should be removed as early as possible to correct the deformity.
X-rays and potential MRIs will help in planning for surgery.
It could involve an elimination of bone spurs and fusion needed to even out the spine and probably correct the abnormal curve.
Also, adult patients with degenerative scoliosis relative to arthritis where back and leg pain is a major complaint, surgery can be avail.
Continuous researches and experiments are simultaneously done by worldwide will soon lead to the right treatment to fully cure scoliosis of the spine.