{"id":2843,"date":"2019-01-18T06:14:06","date_gmt":"2019-01-18T06:14:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=2843"},"modified":"2021-03-23T15:34:54","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T15:34:54","slug":"12-scoliosis-symptoms-and-how-to-prevent-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/12-scoliosis-symptoms-and-how-to-prevent-them\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Scoliosis Symptoms and How to Prevent Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Scoliosis is a condition that will cause the spine to start to curve to one side. This condition can affect any area of the spine, but most commonly it occurs in the lower back and at the chest level. Scoliosis will often appear in children. Most of the time there is no treatment needed for scoliosis as the curve will begin to correct itself as the child grows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the age of the child and the degree of the curvature will determine whether or not treatment is needed. There is a small number of people who suffer from scoliosis that will require surgery in order to fix the spine. There are some complications that can be caused by scoliosis. Some of these include respiratory deficiencies and chronic pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person may also have a decrease in their exercise capacity. Here are some symptoms of scoliosis as well as preventative measures that can be taken. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Definition of Scoliosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who have scoliosis <\/a>will have an S or C shaped curve in the spine. This condition may appear at any age. Most often it is found in children from ten to twelve years of age. It may also appear during the teen years. Some infants may show symptoms of scoliosis as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not typically known why the spine starts to change shape causing this syndrome to occur. In some cases, scoliosis is linked to a birth defect, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy. Structural curves are permanent and could be caused by a different type of condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A nonstructural curve is often temporary and is likely to disappear in time. This is especially true when it occurs during the preteen or teen years as a child will likely grow and the curve will disappear. Physical therapy may be recommended to help the spine grow in the right direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Monitoring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If a child develops scoliosis it is most likely that the doctor you see will want to monitor the curve. This will require a visit every four to six months so that they can see how the curve is progressing. They may require x-rays periodically in order to determine the severity of the curve and whether or not it is straightening out on its own or if medical intervention may be necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In very few cases surgery will be required in order to straighten out the curve. In the majority of cases, the curve will correct itself on its own over time. Treatment <\/a>is not often even needed in most cases. If the curve is not showing signs of correcting itself or if it is getting worse, physical therapy is often the first course of action. This will typically work and the symptoms of scoliosis will soon disappear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Factors that Determine Treatment Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are several factors that will determine what treatment options will be suggested if a person is diagnosed <\/a>with scoliosis. One factor is the sex of the individual. A female is more likely than a male to have scoliosis that will gradually become worse. The severity of the curve will also determine what treatment options are provided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The larger the curve is the higher the risk of it becoming worse with time. In addition, an S-shaped curve is more likely to become worse with time. A C-shaped curve is less likely to get worse with time. The position of the curve will also determine what type of treatment a person may require. A curve that is in the center area of the spine is likely to get worse than the curve that is in the upper or lower section. Treatment will be determined by a doctor after looking at all of these factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Casting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One treatment option that may be suggested is referred to as a casting. This treatment is typically done instead of bracing when the patient is younger. It is often used with infants. Casting will help to mold the spine <\/a>of the infant so that it grows back into the normal position as soon as possible. It will help keep the spine in a specific position so that it will grow straighter and helps the curve disappear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cast is often made with plaster of Paris. The infant will wear the cast around the section of their back that has started to curve. While this may seem uncomfortable, it can aid in helping the curve of the spine straighten out. Often times the cast does not have to be worn for very long as the healing process will begin right away. Casting can help prevent the need for surgery later in life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Braces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If a person is still growing and has moderate scoliosis a doctor may recommend that a brace be worn. This brace will help to prevent further curvature from occurring. The brace will not reverse or cure the curve. Typically a brace is worn at all times, even during the night. The longer a person wears the brace each day, the more effective it is. Braces do not typically restrict a child from doing much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a child is participating in a physical activity they can simply take the brace off. When the bones are no longer growing a brace is not used. There are two main types of braces. One is the thoracolumbosacral orthosis<\/a>. This is made from plastic and molds around the curves of the body. The other is the Milwaukee brace, which is a full torso brace that has a neck brace for the chin and back of the head to rest on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Prominent Hips and Off-Center Ribs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are several notable signs that a person may have scoliosis. Often times this condition will develop in children who are about ten years old. This is referred to as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Idiopathic refers to the fact that there are no known causes for this development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person with scoliosis may appear to have clothes that simply do not hang properly. In addition, the hips of the person may be quite prominent. One hip is typically more prominent than the other. In addition, the rib cage of a person with scoliosis may not be symmetrical. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ribs could be at different heights, causing a person to appear to be off-center. As the spine begins to curve it can cause the prominent hip to jut out even more. As the child grows the ribs <\/a>may become even more uneven. This can make walking difficult for some people who suffer from scoliosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Head and Shoulders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the hips and ribs, the head and the shoulders can also be affected by scoliosis. The head of a person who has scoliosis may appear to be off-center. It will lean to one side or the other depending on where the curve of the spine is located. The shoulders are also typically off-center as one shoulder or the shoulder blade will sit slightly higher than the other one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once again, this is caused by the curve that has appeared in the spine<\/a>. The difference in the height of the shoulders will depend on the severity of the curve in the spine. If the curve is not treated it can continue to grow larger. This can cause more issues later in life including difficulty walking and staying balanced. A person with scoliosis may also have legs that are uneven lengths, causing difficulty in finding pants that fit appropriately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Physical Therapy and Surgery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous exercises that are recommended for individuals who are suffering from scoliosis. The exercises <\/a>that are available differ based on where the curve is located in the spine as well as how severe the curve is. The purpose of the exercises is to help realign the rib cage, spine, pelvis, and shoulders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These exercises are designed to help the person achieve a posture that is more normal. A person who is suffering from severe scoliosis may require surgery. Most people who suffer from scoliosis will not need surgery as this is often used as a last resort to correct the curve in the spine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The surgery will help to reduce the curve in the spine and keep it from becoming worse. The surgery will involve bone grafts and in some cases may require hooks, screws, wires, or metal rods to help hold the spine in place.
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9. Reluctance to Engage in Sports Activities
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As scoliosis mostly affects growing children, the condition may cause them to lose self-confidence in their physical abilities on the playground., Children love to run and play, it\u2019s an essential part of childhood. However, children who have scoliosis typically begin to retreat from athletic endeavors at a young age. While all their friends are out on the field tossing the football around, children with scoliosis feel nervous and embarrassed about their inability to maintain correct posture and mobility as the other kids on the sports field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, children with the condition tend to have under-developed muscular systems <\/a>that further exacerbate the symptoms of their disease and speed up its progression in the skeletal system. Instead of spending their time developing their bodies, children with scoliosis are more likely to select extra-curricular activities that offer mental stimulation instead. If you notice your child withdrawing from physical activity, ask them about their decision to do so, and try to arrange some form of physical activity, such as private coaching lessons, to stimulate the growth of their muscular system.
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10. Playground Injuries
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Children like to run and play with their friends on the playground during recess. Take a look at any schoolyard, and you\u2019ll see jungle gyms, swings, and a variety of play equipment that brings children joy. However, kids who have scoliosis may suffer from more injuries<\/a> on the playground than other kids. All the high-impact movement kids perform on play equipment creates a substantial physical demand on the body as joints rotate and muscles contract during movements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids with scoliosis don\u2019t have the same kind of skeletal strength as other kids. Therefore, they are at higher risk of injuring themselves. Hip and back problems are the most common complaint, and it’s heartbreaking for parents to watch their kids complain of back pain at such a young age. As a result, children with scoliosis may begin to withdraw for physical activity at a young age, out of the fear of injuring themselves while playing in the schoolyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Impaired Growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kids living with scoliosis don\u2019t get the same amount of exercise as other healthy kids. As a result, they experience a slow growth of their muscular and skeletal systems. This impaired growth leads to less physical activity which further exacerbates the problem with underdevelopment. When kids exercise less, they eat less, and as a result; they fail to achieve the correct bodyweight for their age and height. Under-developed kids stand out from their peers, and they run the risk of becoming targets for school bullies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids with scoliosis need careful monitoring during their formative years. If your child has the condition, then you need to ensure that they are getting adequate nutrition to support their growth during this period. Make sure that their diet <\/a>contains nutrient-dense sources of food that assist the body with its growth and development. Add additional calcium supplements to your child\u2019s diet and increase their consumption of calcium-rich foods.
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12. Poor Posture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since scoliosis affects the curvature of the spine, kids with scoliosis develop a notable change in their posture as the disease advances. Establishing the correct posture is essential for optimal spinal function and health. When the spine produces an unnatural curve, the body begins to lean or tilt to one side. A curved spine creates challenges with movement, and kids may start to develop issues with their hips as one leg starts to grow longer than the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walking unassisted eventually becomes a challenge and may require the use of mobility assistance devices to help the child get around. Posture plays a significant role in spinal development and health. Kids living with scoliosis don\u2019t get the opportunity to fully develop their skeletal and muscular systems as the disease advances and symptoms <\/a>progress. This lack of muscle and skeletal strength leads to degradation in posture and limitations on mobility in the future. Please consult with a physiotherapist about an exercise and stretching program for your child.
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