If you are the parent of a child who has been diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis, you may be feeling a range of emotions, from confusion and fear to hope and optimism. You are not alone in your feelings. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a condition that affects millions of people each year, both children and adults. This blog post will provide you with information about scoliosis in children, including what it is, how it is treated, causes of scoliosis and what to expect as your child grows up.
What is Scoliosis? Scoliosis is a medical condition in which the spine curves to the side. The spine is supposed to be straight, so when it curves, it can cause problems with how the body functions. Scoliosis usually starts in childhood or adolescence, but it can also affect adults. It occurs more often in girls than boys and is more common in people of Caucasian descent than in other groups. There are three main adolescent types of scoliosis: congenital, neuromuscular, and idiopathic.
Congenital scoliosis
It is caused by a problem with the development of the spine in the womb. This type of scoliosis is present at birth or develops soon after. The condition is caused by an abnormal development. When normally separate vertebrae merge together during fetal development, it happens when bony spinal segments or vertebrae fail to develop properly. Scoliosis with mixed defects and non-fully segmented hemivertebrae on one side and a unilateral bar on the other have the greatest potential for progression.
On average, the pace of change is around 10 degrees per year. For the first five years after birth, the curve grows quickly, followed by a rapid growth between the ages of 11 and 14. Spinal surgery to implant growing rods is a two-fold benefit for young children with congenital scoliosis: correcting the spinal curve while allowing continued development of the spine.
The spine is accessed through a growing rod procedure. Physical and mental stress, decreased lung function and heart problems before the age of 5 years of age may also meet the requirement for surgery. Several side effects and medical issues may result from this spinal curvature to the side. As a result, scoliosis disorder is covered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Scoliosis is a condition that affects your ability to function, and the answer is yes! Disability benefits are available for it, and it’s a disability.
Neuromuscular scoliosis
This type of scoliosis may rotate sideways due to brain or spinal cord problems. Children with medical conditions that limit their capacity to regulate the muscles that support the spine might develop neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS). Muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida are some of the most common medical conditions linked to NMS.
For neuromuscular scoliosis, there are both non-surgical and surgical treatments. For youngsters and adults with a large and progressive angle, whose angle causes discomfort or limits the ability to walk, sit, or breathe, surgical therapy is often recommended. The most frequent therapy for neuromuscular scoliosis is spinal fusions surgery, which stabilizes the spine.
The treatment corrects the spine and hardens the bone by straightening it with metal rods, hooks, screws, and wires called instrumentation. Curve correction and stabilization in youngsters who are still growing is done using growing structures (e.g. VEPTRs (growing rods or rods) The corrected spine is fitted with these adjustable metal rods, which are fastened to screws placed in the spine or ribs.
Every 6 to 8 months while growth continues, the rods are lengthened using a minor procedure. These lengthening procedures may sometimes be done magnetically without the need for surgery. In this manner, the rods support the child’s spine while it develops. Spinal fixation is the term for the employment of hardware to keep the spine stable.
Idiopathic scoliosis
It is thought to have no known cause, this, however, recent discoveries using genetic factors and hereditary factors research is challenging that notion.
A mix of genetic and environmental factors likely causes onset of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Hormonal disorders, abnormal bone or muscle development, nerve system abnormalities, and other factors that have not been identified are thought to be linked to the abnormal spinal curvature.
Understanding how your doctor SEES or understands the issue is critical in determining how one approaches, treats, and solves the issue. It is certainly more than just bad posture! We at ScoliSMART have done a lot of our own investigation and see or comprehend scoliosis cases with more modern medical advice.
Scoliosis a neuro-hormonal condition rooted in a genetic predisposition or inheritance. Meaning the patient may family history or a family member with idiopathic scoliosis.— ScoliSMART doctors understand the cause of scoliosis to be due to genetic variances that are passed down from mom and dad. These genetic problems create miscommunications in the body (kind of like not getting the email during periods of rapid growth spurts) which result in what we call “scoliosis”.
To learn more about how to treat the whole scoliosis condition and not only the curve, connect with our passionate providers at ScoliSMART. To explore a non-brace/ non-surgery treatment for your child’s scoliosis problem, you may schedule a no-cost Zoom or phone consultation with a ScoliSMART doctor. Please get in touch with us today!
Cases of scoliosis can range from mild scoliosis to severe scoliosis, depending on the degree of curvature of the spine. In mild cases, the curve may be barely noticeable and may not cause any significant health problems. In more severe cases, however, the curve can be quite pronounced and may cause pain, difficulty breathing, and other health problems.
The severity of scoliosis is measured by the degree of curvature of the spine. The degree of curvature is determined by taking an X-ray of the spine and measuring the angle of the curve via the cobb angle. The angle is expressed in degrees, with a normal spine having an angle of 0 to 10 degrees. A curve of more than 10 degrees is considered to be mild scoliosis.
The typical outdated conventional treatment of scoliosis (sadly still used by many) depends on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, no treatment may be done. The child will be monitored periodically to ensure that the curve does not worsen. When the curve worsens, however, treatment may be noted to prevent it from getting worse. These treatment options for scoliosis include:
-Observation: This involves monitoring the child periodically to see if the curve worsens. No treatment is given, but the child may be placed in a brace or cast if the curve begins to worsen.
We at ScoliSMART disagree with this reactive approach of waiting and watching the curve get worse. We believe in early intervention with our ScoliSMART comprehensive treatment.
–Bracing: This involves wearing a back brace that helps to hold the spine in place and prevent further curving.
-Fusion Surgery: this is noted for curves that are above 50 degrees and is a very invasive way to deal with the problem.
No matter what type or severity of scoliosis your child has, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent the condition from worsening. With early diagnosis and treatment, most children with scoliosis can lead normal, healthy lives.
It is important to remember that most people with scoliosis do not have any pain or other symptoms associated with the condition.
The most common symptom of scoliosis is just a curve in the spine. The curve may be S-shaped or C-shaped and is usually visible when the child bends over or stands up straight.
Other visible signs of scoliosis include:
- uneven shoulders
- one shoulder blade that sticks out more than the other
- clothes that fit unevenly or hang crooked on the body
- one hip that appears higher than the other
- a torso shift to one side or the other
- walking posture not balanced
If you notice any of these postural issues in your child, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to preventing the condition from worsening into degenerative scoliosis.
It is also important to know that when choosing a method of treatment there will be homecare and follow up care. This must be continued until the child is done growing. This is vital to the success of the scoliosis patients treatment.
At ScoliSMART, we use a combination of scoliosis specific chiropractic, physical therapy exercises, and nutritional counseling to treat scoliosis. We also provide our patients with at-home exercises and stretches to do on their own. Our goal is to help our patients achieve a healthy spine and live a pain-free life.
If you think your child may have scoliosis, please contact us today to schedule a consultation. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your child’s health.
Online consultation scheduling is available!
Now it’s even easier to connect with ScoliSMART. Schedule your no-cost, no-obligation phone or Zoom consultation online with a ScoliSMART physician. Visit the ScoliSMART BootCamp page and click the “Schedule Online” button at the top of the page. Then select the best date and time to connect with a scoliosis specialist. Schedule your consultation right here!
ScoliSMART Clinics is committed to treating the WHOLE scoliosis condition, not only the curve. Genetic & clinical testing with targeted nutrient therapies, expert in-office treatment programs, and the world’s only ScoliSMART Activity Suit provides patients of all ages with the most comprehensive, most effective, and least invasive treatment care team available worldwide.
