Scoliosis symptoms that you should be aware of
Many of us experience back pain once in a while. While it may be due to sitting down for a prolonged period of time, sometimes it may be due to a condition that we are unaware of, such as scoliosis.
Let us take a look into what it means to have scoliosis and whether you should seek treatment for it.
- You tend to lean to one side
- Your spine is not straight
- There is a bump in your back
- Your shoulders are not even
- Your hips are not levelled
Scoliosis symptoms that you should be aware of
Many of us experience back pain once in a while. While it may be due to sitting down for a prolonged period of time, sometimes it may be due to a condition that we are unaware of, such as scoliosis.
Let us take a look into what it means to have scoliosis and whether you should seek treatment for it.
- You tend to lean to one side
- Your spine is not straight
- There is a bump in your back
- Your shoulders are not even
- Your hips are not levelled
Early Screening For Your Child
Of course, the list of symptoms is not exhaustive. A better way to tell if your kid has scoliosis is to take an X-ray. However, you can also do a self-examination for your kid with the “Adam’s forward bend test” – a simple method that does not involve the use of equipment and is guaranteed to be safe.
Take off their shirt so that the spine is visible. Get them to stand up straight with their arms at the side. Then, bend forward at a 90-degree angle with their arms hanging down as if they are touching their toes. As mild scoliosis may not be visible from the perspective of a non-medical professional, this test makes it easier to notice the visibility of the spine at this position. As the examiner, you should stand at the back and observe the spine curvature for abnormalities. If you notice signs of scoliosis in your child, it is recommended to see a medical professional for further investigation.
Medical professionals will conduct the Adam’s forward bend test as well, but with the use of a scoliometer. If scoliosis is suspected, your clinician may refer your child to take a standing X-ray of the full spine from the back and the side. A curve of more than 10 degrees (Cobb angle) is considered scoliosis.
The severity of scoliosis is usually assessed by measuring the Cobb angle on the X-ray image of a full spine. Measurement of the Cobb angle is an essential basis for treatment planning and evaluating therapeutic effects.
Early Screening For Your Child
Of course, the list of symptoms is not exhaustive. A better way to tell if your kid has scoliosis is to take an X-ray. However, you can also do a self-examination for your kid with the “Adam’s forward bend test” – a simple method that does not involve the use of equipment and is guaranteed to be safe.
Take off their shirt so that the spine is visible. Get them to stand up straight with their arms at the side. Then, bend forward at a 90-degree angle with their arms hanging down as if they are touching their toes. As mild scoliosis may not be visible from the perspective of a non-medical professional, this test makes it easier to notice the visibility of the spine at this position. As the examiner, you should stand at the back and observe the spine curvature for abnormalities. If you notice signs of scoliosis in your child, it is recommended to see a medical professional for further investigation.
Medical professionals will conduct the Adam’s forward bend test as well, but with the use of a scoliometer. If scoliosis is suspected, your clinician may refer your child to take a standing X-ray of the full spine from the back and the side. A curve of more than 10 degrees (Cobb angle) is considered scoliosis.
The severity of scoliosis is usually assessed by measuring the Cobb angle on the X-ray image of a full spine. Measurement of the Cobb angle is an essential basis for treatment planning and evaluating therapeutic effects.
Seek treatment
For a curve of 10 to 25 degrees, quarterly medical checkups will be conducted for patients to monitor the progression of scoliosis. In addition, Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises (PSSE) may be an option for the indicated cases. However, for a 25 to 40 degrees curve, bracing will be recommended while for a curve above 45 degrees, specialists will recommend surgery. The following factors are considered when deciding on treatment options:
1. Gender: Females have a higher chance of developing scoliosis that worsens over time
2. Curve Severity: S-shaped curves are present in idiopathic scoliosis while C-shaped curves are common in neuromuscular scoliosis. The type of curve may affect the progression of scoliosis.
3. Curve Position: A curve located in the centre of the spine will more likely worsen as compared to a curve located in the lower and upper part of the spine.
4. Bone Maturity: There is lower risk of worsening when the patient’s bones have stopped growing. For bones that are still growing, bracing is more effective for these patients
Seek treatment
For a curve of 10 to 25 degrees, quarterly medical checkups will be conducted for patients to monitor the progression of scoliosis. In addition, Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises (PSSE) may be an option for the indicated cases. However, for a 25 to 40 degrees curve, bracing will be recommended while for a curve above 45 degrees, specialists will recommend surgery. The following factors are considered when deciding on treatment options:
1. Gender: Females have a higher chance of developing scoliosis that worsens over time
2. Curve Severity: S-shaped curves are present in idiopathic scoliosis while C-shaped curves are common in neuromuscular scoliosis. The type of curve may affect the progression of scoliosis.
3. Curve Position: A curve located in the centre of the spine will more likely worsen as compared to a curve located in the lower and upper part of the spine.
4. Bone Maturity: There is lower risk of worsening when the patient’s bones have stopped growing. For bones that are still growing, bracing is more effective for these patients