Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that can occur in the thoracic (upper back) or lumbar (lower back) regions. It can occur alone or in conjunction with an abnormal front-to-back curvature called kyphosis (known as kyphoscoliosis). In Turkey, it is estimated that there are over 2 million scoliosis patients. Although there is no specific research on scoliosis patients in our country, what orthopedic and traumatology experts agree on is that this disease is much more common in girls. However, the reason for this is still unknown. Scoliosis of over 10 degrees is particularly six times more common in girls than in boys.
Causes of Scoliosis
Scoliosis can occur for a variety of reasons. However, scoliosis that is most commonly encountered is the idiopathic type, which appears in the teenage years and whose exact cause is still unknown.
Another cause of scoliosis can be congenital, which is usually due to a defect or excess formation in the spine or fused and undivided vertebrae.
Scoliosis can also occur due to conditions such as polio, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy resulting from the paralysis of muscles.
Other types of scoliosis include those caused by differences in leg length, tumors, postural posture, or hip joint.
Symptoms of Scoliosis
The most important symptoms of scoliosis are the sideways curvature of the spine, the shoulders and hips not being level (one shoulder blade protrudes more outward, and the ribs are higher on one side), the presence of a second curve that compensates for the first curve (often referred to as compensatory curvature), back and/or lower back pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and cosmetic issues.
For Families
Most scoliotic children are noticed by their parents when the curvature advances to a stage where it is easily noticeable in all positions. To determine whether your child has scoliosis, have them bend forward with arms hanging down, and check their back from the head or hip area. If the back is symmetrical, the chance of scoliosis is very low. If there is a difference of more than a few millimeters between the right and left sides, then you should suspect scoliosis and seek medical attention.
Interventions for Scoliosis
Treatment for scoliosis varies depending on the degree of curvature at the time of detection and the amount of potential growth the child may experience afterward. The main goal is to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention. In cases of idiopathic scoliosis in children who have completed their growth, surgery is not always necessary if the curve does not exceed 40 degrees in the back or 30 degrees in the lumbar region because in such cases, the scoliosis is unlikely to progress significantly and is not highly likely to affect one’s life. For children who are still growing, although the general practice is to use brace therapy for scoliosis exceeding 20 degrees, I do not believe in brace therapy…