About the Health Information

• Diagnosis involves an X-ray, with a curve exceeding 10 degrees classified as scoliosis. Contrary to misconceptions, it is not caused by bad posture. The predominant type is idiopathic scoliosis with unknown etiology linked to genetic factors and environmental triggers.

• With a 30% chance of inheritance, early symptoms may be mild, emphasizing the importance of visual cues like uneven posture or a pronounced hip. Girls face a higher risk 10 times more often than boys and have an 8 times greater likelihood of worsening curvature.

• Early detection is critical, yet fewer than half of the Indian states mandate scoliosis screening in schools. Undetected scoliosis can lead to chronic back pain and impact heart and lung function. Therefore, educating parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals on identifying early signs is vital.

Types of Scoliosis

• Idiopathic Scoliosis

• Congenital Scoliosis (present at birth)

• Neuromuscular Scoliosis

• Syndromic Scoliosis

•  Idiopathic scoliosis, affecting around 0.5% of young individuals, often appears in early adolescence and is not caused by external factors like heavy bags or poor sleeping posture.

• Congenital scoliosis, a condition present at birth, forms early in pregnancy, with vertebrae abnormalities and potential associations with heart and kidney issues.

• Neuromuscular scoliosis is linked to muscle and nerve conditions like cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy.

Symptoms

• Uneven shoulders and hips

• Pushed-out ribs

• Difficulty in breathing

• Back pain

• Discomfort

• Asymmetrical appearance leads to potential psychological challenges in social interactions with peers.

Treatment

• Early awareness, timely diagnosis, and appropriate intervention collectively contribute to effective scoliosis management. Parent education and awareness about early detection of scoliosis help prevent surgeries.

• The treatment for scoliosis depends on the degree of curvature and remaining growth. Monitoring growth and curvature through observation is common, with a “Wait and Watch” approach for idiopathic scoliosis.

For smaller curves and less complex instances, the treatment may include:

• Observation to assess if the curve worsens or remains stable.

• Physical therapy to enhance core strength and flexibility.

• Back braces for curves ranging from 20 to 40 degrees. By significantly wearing these custom-fit braces 18 to 20 hours a day significantly reducing the likelihood of surgery by almost a third.

• The aim of early intervention is to halt the progression of spinal curvatures and, in some cases, improve the curvature. Surgery becomes a consideration for severe scoliosis or curves exceeding 50 degrees.

• However, until a child is mostly done growing, alternatives like growing rods or non-fusion surgery (“tethering”) can be considered. Growing rods guide healthy growth, and non-fusion surgery offers more movement than traditional fusion surgery, relying on the child’s future growth.

• Early detection is a key in management of scoliosis which helps in avoiding complex surgeries.

• If Scoliosis is diagnosed late, no need to worry – we have got your back. We utilize safer options like navigation, neuromodulation, and 3D model-assisted surgical correction for scoliosis.

• MGM Healthcare’s renowned team of spine surgeons, equipped with the latest technology, corrects and treats scoliosis with absolute precision, helping you regain your life with confidence.

• For inquiries or to schedule a consultation, call us at 044-4524 2424.

• Reviewed by 
  Dr Vijayaraghavan 
  Senior Consultant 
  Spine Surgery