Scoliosis is a neuromuscular condition. It is a sideways curvature (usually a c or an s shape) of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. While scoliosis can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the cause of most scoliosis is unknown. Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but some children develop spine deformities that continue to get more severe …show more content…
This is the most common diagnosis of scoliosis and is present in 2-4 percent of children between 10 to 16. Idiopathic curves can Idiopathic scoliosis curves vary in size, and mild curves are more common than larger curves. If a child is still growing, a scoliosis curve can worsen rapidly during a growth spurt. Although it can develop in toddlers and young children, idiopathic scoliosis most often begins during puberty. Both boys and girls can be affected, however, girls are more likely to develop larger curves that require medical …show more content…
Since there is no known cause, it is difficult to treat. The first step is observation. The doctor checks the degree of curve and the patient can complete exercises to help with flexibility and maintaining range of motion. If the curve remains small (less than 25%), then nothing is done. If the curve continues to progress (25%-45%) then a brace can be prescribed. This brace must be worn most of the day. It only comes off when doing sports or showering. The brace won’t correct the curve, but it can prevent the curve from getting worse. If the curve continues to progress (45%-50%) then surgery is the final option because lung function can be affected. The procedure is called spinal fusion. The curved bones of the spine are fused together and a metal rod is attached to the bones to hold it in place so that they can fuse