Scoliosis - Types | Medical Symptomatology

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that most often is diagnosed in adolescents.
The largest category of scoliosis is idiopathic scoliosis, a term used to refer to cases that have no definite cause. Idiopathic scoliosis is broken down by age group:
Infant: 0 to 3 years
Juvenile: 4 to 10 years
Adolescent: 11 to 18 years
Adult: 18+ years
Of these, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common, according to the AANS.
When researchers know the cause of different types of scoliosis, they include:
congenital, in which spinal deformities are apparent at birth
neurological, when nerve abnormalities affect muscles in the spine
Scoliosis can also be categorized as either structural or nonstructural. In structural scoliosis, the spine’s curve is caused by a disease, injury, or birth defect, and is permanent.
Nonstructural scoliosis describes temporary curves that can be fixed.
Scoliosis symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the degree of scoliosis. Common symptoms associated with scoliosis include:
one shoulder blade that’s higher than the other
one shoulder blade that sticks out more than the other
uneven hips
a rotating spine
problems breathing because of reduced area in the chest for lungs to expand
back pain
. Common causes that doctors may identify include:
cerebral palsy, a group of nervous system disorders that affect movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking
muscular dystrophy, a group of genetic disorders that result in muscle weakness
birth defects that affect an infant’s spinal bones, such as spina bifida
spinal injuries or infections
People with a family history of scoliosis are more likely to develop the condition. People with a vagina are more likely to have a more severe form of scoliosis than those with a penis.
How is scoliosis diagnosed?
A physical exam of your spine is the first step your doctor takes to see if you have scoliosis. Your doctor may also order some imaging tests to get a closer look at your spine.
Physical exam
Your doctor will observe your back while you stand with your arms at your sides. They’ll check for spine curvature and whether your shoulders and waist area are symmetrical.
Next, your doctor will ask you to bend forward, looking for any curvature in your upper and lower back.
Imaging
Imaging tests your doctor may order to look for scoliosis include:
X-ray: During this test, small amounts of radiation are used to create a picture of your spine.
MRI scan: This test uses radio and magnetic waves to get a detailed picture of bones and the tissue surrounding them.
CT scan: During this test, X-rays are taken at a variety of angles to get a 3-D picture of the body.
Bone scan: This test detects a radioactive solution injected into your blood that concentrates in areas of increased circulation, highlighting spinal abnormalities.
What are the treatment options for scoliosis?
Treatment depends on numerous factors - the degree of spine curvature being a major one. Your doctor will also take into consideration:
your age
whether you’re likely to continue growing
the amount and type of curvature
the type of the scoliosis
The primary treatment options are bracing and surgery.
Bracing
According to the AANS, a person with scoliosis may need to use a brace if they’re still growing and the curvature is more than 25 to 40 degrees.
Braces won’t straighten the spine, but they can prevent the curvature from increasing. This method of treatment is more effective for cases that are detected early.
Those requiring a brace need to wear it 16 to 23 hours a day until they stop growing. A brace’s effectiveness increases with the number of hours they wear it per day.
Doctors usually recommend that children wear their braces until they reach adolescence and are no longer growing.
There are two main types of braces:
Underarm: Made of plastic and fitting close to the body, this brace is virtually invisible. It’s used to treat lower spine curves and fits around the lower part of the body.
Milwaukee: This brace starts at the neck and covers the entire torso, with the exception of the legs and arms. It’s used for curves that the underarm brace can’t address.
Surgery
Surgery is usually reserved for people with curves greater than 40 degrees. However, talk to your doctor about this option if you’ve been diagnosed with scoliosis and feel the curvature is interrupting your daily life or causing you discomfort.
Spinal fusion is the standard scoliosis surgery. In this procedure, the doctor fuses your vertebrae together using a bone graft, rods, and screws. The bone graft consists of bone or a material like it.
The rods keep your spine in a straight position, and the screws hold them in place. Eventually, the bone graft and vertebrae fuse into a single bone. Rods can be adjusted in children as they grow.
Some of the risks of spinal fusion surgery include:
excessive bleeding
failure to heal
infection
pain
nerve damage

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