Volume 104, Issue 6, June 2021, Pages 1347-1355 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.11.023Get rights and content
Reviewed by: Suken A. Shah, MD and Bernadette Fulweiler, APN
Spine & Scoliosis Center at Nemours Children's Health
Scoliosis is when the vertebrae (the small bones in the spine) form a curved line instead of being straight. Sometimes they also rotate (twist), like a corkscrew. This can cause health problems. Although the spine is sometimes called "the backbone," it's not just one bone. It's made of lots of small bones (called vertebrae) that are connected by a type of elastic tissue called cartilage. This gives people the flexibility to bend, stretch, balance, and even walk. Small curves usually don't cause problems. But a curve that gets worse can be bad for a person's health. Health care providers treat scoliosis (sko-lee-OH-sis) with back braces or surgery when needed.
Orthopedic specialists (doctors and other providers who treat bone and muscle problems) group scoliosis into types. Knowing the type of scoliosis helps health care providers treat it.
Small curves usually don't cause problems. But a curve that gets worse can be bad for a person's health. Very large curves can damage the joints and cause arthritis of the spine. Large curves can make the ribs rub against the pelvis, causing pain. Someone whose spine curves a lot might get lung problems. Doctors will keep an eye on large curves by doing X-rays. They might decide to treat one with bracing or surgery. The treatment used depends on the type of scoliosis and how much more a child will grow. /content/kidshealth/misc/medicalcodes/parents/articles/scoliosis
Scoliosis is a common spine condition often found in adolescents. Roughly 3 million new cases of the condition are diagnosed in the United States each year, with a majority of them identified as idiopathic scoliosis — a type of scoliosis that presents in children between 10 to 12 years old. Below, Paul Sponseller, M.D., pediatric orthopaedic expert and director of the Johns Hopkins Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, provides five facts about scoliosis that all parents should know before their child’s next physical.
Nicholas was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 3, and by 14, despite bracing, his curve had worsened and required surgery. He and his parents planned the procedure at Johns Hopkins with pediatric orthopaedic surgeon Paul Sponseller, but then the pandemic struck. The family knew that a delay in treatment may allow scoliosis to progress, so they were back as soon as surgeries resumed at Johns Hopkins, reassured by the care team about safety protocols. Several weeks later, Nicholas was home, healthy and practicing his golf swing. |