Scoliosis

Learning About Scoliosis

Virginia Legislation requires that school divisions provide parents of students in grades five through ten with Scoliosis educational information. Parents should read this important health information to gain a better understanding of this condition and treatments, if needed for their child. Please contact your school nurse if you have any further questions or concerns.

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a lateral, or sidewards, curvature of the spine that can be defined as a S or C curve. We define them as S and C because that is exactly the way the curves are shaped. Normally, the spine curves backward in the chest area and forward in the waist area when looking at a person from the side. The curvature of the spine to one side, or to both sides at different levels, is a condition known as Scoliosis.

Scoliosis is not a disease. It often occurs in more than one family member in the same or different generations. It does not develop as a result of anything that a child or their parents did or didn’t do. Most often it appears with growth during the early teen years, although it may be found in younger children as well.

How is Scoliosis noticed?

One of the most common signs of Scoliosis is a prominent shoulder blade, frequently the right one. One shoulder may also be higher, and the child tends to lean to one side. The hips may be uneven, and one may seem to be higher than the other. Scoliosis should not be confused with poor posture. Scoliosis will not disappear as a child gets older. Very often the first indication of Scoliosis is that there is something wrong with the fitting of clothes. This is apparent when observing the hemline of a skirt or dress or the length of pant legs. When a child with Scoliosis bends forward, the appearance of a rib hump is one of the definitive signs. It is important to know that Virginia Beach City Public Schools do not screen for Scoliosis. This is why parents should check their children for Scoliosis regularly and ask to be screened at regular doctor’s checkups between the ages ten and fifteen so Scoliosis can be diagnosed and managed early on.

How common is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a common spine condition that can develop during a person’s teenage years or even younger. Scoliosis affects 2-3 percent of the population, or an estimated six to ten million people in the United States in 2024. Scoliosis can develop in infancy or early childhood. Approximately 10% of the adolescent population has some degree of Scoliosis. This means that about 2,300,000 youngsters in the United States alone have Scoliosis. Approximately one-quarter of these will require attention. The primary age of onset for Scoliosis is 10-15 years old, occurring equally among both genders. Females are eight times more likely to progress to a curve magnitude that requires treatment. Some Scoliosis may be so mild that treatment may not be needed.

Is there a cause to Scoliosis?

About 80%-90% of the patients have the type that is known as idiopathic Scoliosis. This means that the exact cause of this type of curvature is unknown. Idiopathic Scoliosis often runs in families and appears to be genetic in nature. People can’t do anything to stop Scoliosis. It is not known what causes the development of the curve, or why some curves progress more than others. Scoliosis occurs in perfectly healthy children. Scoliosis is not caused by carrying something heavy on your back or back posture. Because Scoliosis may appear at any time during the growing years, it is essential that the spine is checked regularly until growth is complete.

Scoliosis, in its early years, produces no pain and may be difficult to detect. It may be present for several years in a form so mild that even a doctor might very well fail to recognize it. One of the easiest ways to detect Scoliosis is by using the forward bending test described at the end of this article. Families should be aware that not all states require screening for Scoliosis at school, so it is imperative that parents, teachers, coaches, healthcare professionals and children are aware of the early signs of Scoliosis and to check them out as soon as possible.

Can Scoliosis be cured?

There are currently no medications to treat Scoliosis, nor can its onset be prevented. The treatment is mechanical in nature. Scoliosis can’t be cured; children will have it for the rest of their lives even if they brace or get surgery.

Bracing and surgery can only help prevent any curve progression. When the curvature is recognized early in development, there are methods of correcting the curvature and preventing its increase. Since children usually have big growth spurts in their teenage years it is important to detect the Scoliosis before or early in the growth spurt because that growth spurt can cause the curve to increase rapidly. If the teenage growth spurt occurred before Scoliosis is detected, it may lead to more intense treatments or surgeries. Consulting your doctor is vital to early intervention and proper treatment. If the Scoliosis progresses, bracing and/or surgery may be needed to control or decrease the curve. Advances in science and technology mean both the diagnosis and treatment of Scoliosis are improving every year, but early intervention is critical to the best outcomes.

Simple check for the early detection of Scoliosis

When the child is bending forward with the arms hanging down loosely with the hands even and the palms touching each other at about the level of the knees,

1. Is one shoulder higher than the other?
2. Is the child’s head centered over their spine or titled to one side?
3. Does one hip seem higher or more prominent than the other?
4. Is there a greater distance between the arm and the body on one side than on the other, when the arms are hanging down loosely at the sides?
5. Does the child seem to “list” or lean to one side?
6. Is there a hump in the rib area?
7. When the child is bending forward, look to see if there is any unevenness in the shoulders, ribs cage or back. This is the most common way people look for Scoliosis.

If you have ANY “yes” answers it is advised that you consult with your physician, an orthopedist, or your pediatrician for further evaluation.

References:

Johns Hopkins- Scoliosis
National Scoliosis Foundation
NIH Scoliosis
Adam's forward bend test
Shriners Children's Hospital