What is Scoliosis?
Home News What is Scoliosis? About FOCOS-Barbados

 

15 year old female with
Idiopathic Scoliosis

Note curvature to the                 right in  the                       Thoracic spine

 
 

Scoliosis is a condition where the spine is curved like an "s" (when the patient is viewed from behind). The vertebral bodies are rotated  causing a posterior prominence or lump opposite the side of the curve.

There are a number of different types of scoliosis:

bulletIdiopathic Scoliosis is the most common type. The cause is unknown. The deformity usually appears in early adolescence and is more common in girls. The curve is usually to the right in the Thoracic spine.
bulletCongenital Scoliosis: this is caused by abnormal formation of some of the vertebral bodies of the spine.
bulletNeuromuscular Scoliosis: there is some abnormal condition present which affects the muscles causing the spine to curve (example, Cerebral Palsy)

Treatment is either by:

bulletFormal observation, with xray evaluation at specific intervals
bulletBracing
bulletSurgery