Q: Which doctor should I consult for scoliosis?
A: A family physician could be consulted initially. A referral may be made to an orthopedic doctor if required.
Q: Can you correct scoliosis without surgery?
A: Surgery is performed when the spine curve continues to progress despite bracing and the curve progresses past 40 or 50 degrees. In milder cases observation and non-surgical methods are advisable.
Q: Can scoliosis cause pain?
A: Scoliosis patients may experience pain when spinal curvature has worsened over the years causing, narrowing of the spinal canal which can lead to compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Symptoms of nerve compression may include radiating pain, numbness, weakness and tingling in the lower extremities. Also, adults who develop lower back curvatures due to degeneration may experience localized lower back pain.
Q: Can heavy backpacks cause scoliosis?
A: No. but it may cause pain in the back, neck or shoulder.
Q: What are spinal deformities?
A: Deformity of spine is any abnormality of the formation, alignment, or shape of the vertebral column. Examples include scoliosis or side-to-side curvature, kyphosis or hunchback.
Q: How early should children be screened for scoliosis?
A: The Scoliosis Research Society recommends that girls be screened twice, at 10 and 12 years of age and boys once at 12 or 13 years of age.
Q: Can scoliosis curves get better by themselves?
A: Curves in children who are almost full-grown may stop getting worse. If a child's spine is still growing, it is likely that the curves will worsen. Also, curves in the upper back have a tendency for progression. The larger the curve at diagnosis, the more likely it will worsen. Curves in girls tend to be larger than boys with higher chances of progression.
Q: Can exercise help?
A: Exercises have not been shown to prevent scoliosis from getting worse. But it is important to exercise to keep bones strong and remain physically fit.
Q: Does scoliosis run in families?
A: Yes, approximately 30% of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis patients have a family history of scoliosis. About 1 in 3 children whose parents have scoliosis develop scoliosis.
Q: Is it possible to prevent scoliosis?
A: As in almost 80% of scoliosis cases the causes are not known there is no way as yet to prevent the problem. However, it is speculated that certain exercises that twist the spine such as gymnastics, pilates, yoga, or carrying weight on one side of the body may potentially worsen scoliosis.
