An Overview of Scoliosis in Vacaville

If you have a sideway curvature of the spine, it can be referred to as scoliosis and it takes place mostly during the growth spurt just before a person hits puberty. There are many conditions that can cause scoliosis in Vacaville including cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, but most of it is unknown. About 3% of adolescents have scoliosis.

Most scoliosis cases are mild, but some spine deformities can become more severe as children grow. There are also cases that can be disabling especially when a severe spinal curve can decrease the amount of space within the chest, which makes it difficult for the lungs to function properly.

Children with mild scoliosis are monitored closely, usually with X-rays, to check if the curvature is getting worse. However, many cases don't require any treatment at all. But some children are required to wear a brace just to prevent the curve from becoming worse. Others may need surgery to stop their condition from worsening and even straighten it if ever the case becomes too severe.

Symptoms in Vacaville

Scoliosis signs and symptoms may include the following:

• Uneven waist
• Uneven shoulders
• One hip higher than the other
• One shoulder blade appears more prominent than the other

If the scoliosis curve worsens, the spine may rotate or twist, in addition to the side-to-side curving. This will make the ribs on one side stick out farther than the other side.

Causes

Doctors can't pinpoint what causes the most common type of scoliosis - although family genetics may appear to be a factor since the disorder can run in families. As for the less common types, scoliosis may be caused by the following:

• Injuries or infections of the spine
• Birth defects affecting the bone development of the spine
• Neuromuscular conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy

Risk Factors

The risk factors of the most common type of scoliosis include the following:

• Age: Signs and symptoms may start during the growth spurt that can happen just prior to puberty.
• Sex: Although both men and women develop mild scoliosis at about the same rate, women can have a higher risk of the curve worsening and it may require treatment.
• Family History: Scoliosis can be hereditary, but some children develop it even without a family history of the disease.

Complications

Even though that most people with scoliosis have a mild form of the disorder, scoliosis can often cause complications, which includes the following:

• Back problems: Adults who developed scoliosis while they were young are more likely to experience chronic back pain compared to those in the general population.
• Lung and heart damage: In severe scoliosis, the rib cage may press against the heart and lungs, which could cause breathing difficulties and harder for the heart to pump.
• Appearance: As scoliosis worsens, the physical changes to your appearance are more noticeable. You can see changes such as uneven shoulders and hips, prominent ribs, and shifts of the trunk and waist to the side. Individuals with scoliosis become more self-conscious about the way they look.