Conditions
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine to one side, often in an S-shape. Although the bend can occur anywhere on the spine, it is most common in the chest area or the lower part of the back. These are known as thoracic scoliosis and lumbar scoliosis respectively. Scoliosis is more common in girls than boys and only affects 3 or 4 out of every 1000 children.
Symptoms of scoliosis can include one shoulder blade being higher or more prominent than the other, one hip being more prominent, or the child leaning to one side. In babies, characteristics differ slightly, with telling signs being a bulge on one side of the chest or back or the baby always lying curved to one side. As scoliosis does not usually cause pain and develops gradually, it may be hard to notice.
In 80% of scoliosis cases, the cause is unknown, although it is thought there may be a genetic link to the condition. Other cases have been associated with neuromuscular conditions that affect nerves and muscles, such as cerebral palsy. If children are unable to walk properly, for example, their spine may not develop normally. It is rare for scoliosis to be present at birth, however when it is this is due to abnormal development of bones in the womb, and known as congenital scoliosis.
X-rays are necessary to confirm diagnosis of scoliosis, which also help determine the shape of the curve. Treatment depends very much on the individual and ranges from observation to casting, bracing and surgery. If scoliosis is diagnosed early, a plaster of Paris cast may be worn to initially guide the spine to a normal position. Bracing is necessary when a curve is more than 20 degrees and is a prevention method rather than a corrective procedure. A brace must be worn for 23 hours a day for as long as a child keeps growing. If a spine has a severe curve of more than 50 degrees, specialist surgery may be required. This will help prevent damage to other organs such as the heart and lungs and can reduce back pain and abnormal development. It is a major and complex procedure involving metal hooks and rods to straighten the spine before it is fused into place with bone grafts. If a child undergoes surgery, they will need to have the rods lengthened every six months as they grow.
If scoliosis is left unobserved or untreated, complications can arise such as kyphosis, which results in a hunched back, or heart and lung problems stemming from pressure exerted by the rib cage.
Watch the Live from the Clinic interactive case video on kyphosis >
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I was diagnosed with Scoliosis when I was 18 years old. Nothing was done. Just told to stand up straight. I am now 66 years old. My curvature is 55 degrees and I have many pains, especially in my feet (mainly in one foot) as well as muscular pain when walking, standing and bending. I have not been able to sleep on either of my sides for many years. This has got gradually worse in the last 8 years. I've been given Amitriptyline Hydrochloride 25 mg to help me sleep. I still wake at times with pain depending on what physical activities I,ve been doing. I've also been given Co-Codamol tablets to take when necessary. These do help. I have lost 3 and half inches in height and am very hunched over. My concern is my posture as I get older. I have read that in later years complications and problems with heart and lungs and incontinence could occur. What can I do to avoid these problems please? Many thanks.
I am 15 and I got diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis November last year. The curve was only 19 degrees and i was only 5ft in height, but my consultant wanted to keep an eye on the curve to make sure it wasn't getting worse. So I went back for another x-ray in february and the curve turned out to have gotten worse but 10 degrees and is now 29 degrees. I am still 5ft in height which means I have stopped growing but my spine has continued and has just continued to curve. I get alot of pain in pretty much all of my back and it radiates into my chest which my consultant said I shouldn't get pain from my type of scoliosis. I have to go back for another x-ray on my back and for the curve to be measured again. If it was gotten even worse still, my consultant said I have the choice whether to be referred to a specialist to see whether they think there is any need for an operation. I was doing dance for GCSE which I loved! But I have had to quite because I was reduced to tears just from doing a warm up and I really could not cope with it any longer! I can't do as much as I would like to becaus if I stand or walk for too long my back will ache a terrible amount. I can't go swimming because the day afte I will be struggling to move as my back is hurting so much! I just want to be able to do thing I love again! I feel like I have nothing to do anymore. Even going out with my friends is a struggle because I can't sit up for long either due to the pain, and when it's cold, if I shiver my back aches a lot then too! I just want it sorted!
Hello I`m 22 and I have a problem with my back, I cant touch it because it becomes painful, it feels like my spin has curved its in between the shoulder blade at the bass of my neck. Could this be scoliosis in a slight form?
I have scoliosis, ive had it since birth, ive had 3 ops, first to do something with my ribs second to put metal rods in, one snapped, so third was to take it out, it could of been snapped for upto 5 years and i wouldnt of known because my surgeon didnt get me a check up, now i cant have anymore operations because my spinal cord is so damaged :( im in pain every single day, does anyone have any ideas on what i can do to help ease pain a little??? Thanks!
Hi . I am 15 know and I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 14 I have had 3 X-rays and 1 MR1 scan . On my third X-ray the doctor told me that my top curve is 53 and my bottom curve is 49 degrees I have been put into surgery as it is major because my spinal curve has increased dramatically over the past 6 months . I have allot of back pains and can not sleep at night because of it . The hospital I go to has a lady who is a specialist in scoliosis and partners patients up so they are able to talk about it which i really nice . you can talk to people who have had surgery and people who have not , Another good thing i if you go on to you tube and type in scoliosis surgery you can see what happens before and after surgery which really helps . XX
I found out in 2008, when i was 13 i'm now 17, that i had scoliosis and since i have had 2 operations to correct it but i have found out that i have to have another one as i cant bend properly due to the metal rods. I get really bad pain from it but it doesn't stop me from doing anything.
i found out last year i had it and still watting for my op
Hi, i was diagnosed with scoliosis at 13/14, and a syrinx syst in my spinal chord (creating fluid to enter the spinal chord and swell) and hypermobility at 16. I've been through various procedures and difficulties, such as panic attacks, episodes, pain, loss of breath, fainting, pain in joints, numbing sensations, loss of appitite etc. Not to mention a lot of emotional pain. I would just like to say that scoliosis is a condition you learn to live with and although there are many days it affects me majorly, i have not had the operation and i am able to move forwards with my life and learn different ways to cope with everyday struggles. I just wanted to say to everyone with this condition that there is a lot of pain involved and it isn't hard but you aren't alone. There are many contributing factors to my pain such as my hypermobility, scoliosis and syst, I have two curvatures of around 30 and 37 degrees. I have had MRI scans, x-rays and even therapy for my conditions. However i found the best thing was to simply adapt. Although it affects me a lot of the time,. most people do not know of my conditions as i've always been adament to not make them my identity. Everyopne deals with these things in their own way, but for everyone who is, I'm sure your doing an amazing job and i hope everyone all the best for the future :) you are all beautiful xx
I have pains everywhere and I have scoliosis and had both opps and I think my scars are getting worse doctors only have said to take tablets there not working :( what can I do?
Hi, I'm 15 and was diagnosed with scoliosis about a year and a half ago. I had an MRI scan and my curves are both around 30 degrees, the doctors have said that as I have almost stopped growing the op won't be necessary, but I'm really worried the pain will get worse and childbirth very complicated. Just wondered if anyone had any advice, thanks :/
Hey I am also 15 with a similar degree of scoliosis to you. When I saw a doctor at the orthopedic hospital, he told me that childbirth would not be any problem and that I can do anything pretty much that any other person without scoliosis can do, so I guess that's the same for you?. With the pain thing, I am also worried about this because I recently had an operation to fix my pectus excavatum and my back pain has started to get worse since then, but somebody recommended to go and see a chiropractor about the pain and apparently they can give you exercises to relieve the pain and even start correcting the curvature so I am going to get booked in and see whether this will help, maybe this could help you too? I hope this helped a bit :)
Hi, I was diagnosed with scoliosis when i was 13 (19 yrs ago! wow that makes me feel old!!!) By the time i was 18 my top curve was at least 70 degrees and the same for the bottom curve. My consultant told me I would be a fantastic teaching experiment!!! As you can guess I ran and have never been back!!!!!! I have never really suffered with back pain as i was basically even with my curves. I have had 2 children in 2007 and 2009 and my back did not cause me any problems. In a way it eased any niggles i had, maybe due to the different hormones being released or just the pure elation of being pregnant. Both births were natural and all i had was gas and air. You will be fine. I was 5'6" when i was 18 but am now about 5'5" so i have lost some height and I also have slight rotation. I do worry about it but my theory is as I can't see it it doesn't matter!!! I found swimming was really helpful as it strengthens the muscles in your back. It will take a few goes but it does get easier. Chin up xx
my mum was doing my fake tan,when she noticed my spine looked funny,we went to the doctors and he reffered me to a speciallist were i was diagnosied with double majour scoliosis.ive had xrays,and mri scans,and its been decided i have to have an operation,i was just wondering how long it the wait roughly for when i actually have the operation.
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