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What is scoliosis? Causes and risk factors

Scoliosis affects people of all ages, although it is more common in children and adolescents. In most cases, no treatment is necessary, just a low percentage of people may need a corrective surgery.

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We often hear about scoliosis, but we do not know exactly what it is. In fact, scoliosis refers to a lateral deviation of the spine: it appears as an abnormal S or C shape curvature. This deformity must be greater than 10° (ten degrees) to be considered as scoliosis. 

There are different types of scoliosis, the most common is idiopathic scoliosis, a diagnosis that results when no specific cause of the deformity is found. It usually starts in adolescence and is associated with growth. It is common in girls with rapid growth, in this case, a complete clinical evaluation is essential before menarche (first menstruation).

Most children with moderate scoliosis do not have symptoms. When the curvature is more prominent, back pain can occur. In some cases, these children develop some physical changes: uneven shoulders, hips, or waist; visible deviation of the spine; ribs that protrude more on one side than the other.

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If a mild deformity is found, it does not require treatment, only observation, but it is essential to have annual check-ups because, if this deformity progresses, an exhaustive control of it will be necessary. When the deformity exceeds 30° (thirty degrees), the patient must wear a corrective brace continuously. Braces may be discontinued when there are no further changes; in case the deformity continues to progress, surgical intervention is necessary to fix the scoliotic curve.

When the problem is detected after puberty, it is called adult scoliosis, because the deformity manifests itself after complete skeletal growth. Although scoliosis is normally painless, the degenerative changes of the spine associated with age may cause pain.

It is caused by an instability of the lumbar spine that deforms it progressively. Treatment is usually conservative, seeking to reduce pain and strengthen the muscles of the back and abdomen through exercises. However, in some cases, surgery may be necessary, but it is usually the last option due to the high risk of complications associated with spinal surgery.

Causes

So far, the exact causes of this condition are not fully understood, although hereditary factors could play an important role. Less common causes of scoliosis include:

  • Cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
  • Birth defects that affect the normal development of the spine.
  • Surgery in the first months of life on the chest wall.
  • Injuries or infections of the spine
  • Spinal cord abnormalities

Risk Factors 

Some of the most frequent risk factors are:

  • Family history: scoliosis can be inherited, but most cases do not have family members with this condition.
  • Female sex: although it affects both sexes equally, girls tend to suffer more severe cases.
  • Age: The first symptoms appear in adolescence.

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