Conditions treated

Scoliosis is a condition of side-to-side spinal curves. On an x-ray, the spine of a person with scoliosis looks more like an “S” or a “C” than a straight line. These curves can make the person’s shoulders, hips or waist appear uneven. In scoliosis, the spine’s vertebrae may also be rotated, causing one shoulder blade or trunk muscles to be more prominent than the other.

Scoliosis does not result from carrying heavy items, sports, poor posture, or minor leg length abnormalities. In fact, in more than 80 percent of scoliosis cases, a specific cause is not known. Such cases are termed idiopathic (meaning of undetermined cause), and they are most commonly found in adolescent girls.

Doctors can detect scoliosis by performing a physical examination of your back:

1. You stand in a relaxed position with your arms at your sides and the doctor will view you from behind looking for curvature of the spine, shoulder blade asymmetry, waistline asymmetry and any trunk shift.
2. You will also bend forward at the waist to allow the doctor to observe the rotation of the the spine; scoliosis can create a rib prominence in the upper back and/or a flank or waist prominence in the lower back.

• If scoliosis is suspected following this simple examination, the doctor will usually order X-rays of the entire spine from the neck to the pelvis (back and side views).
• If scoliosis is present, the doctor will measure the spine’s curves and provide you with a number, in degrees, to help describe the scoliosis.
• Once the presence of scoliosis is confirmed, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you or refer you to a specialist. Treatment options may include:
  • Routine monitoring of the curvature (and in some case, physical therapy) as long as it remains minimal;
  • Wearing a brace to try to stop the curve(s) from progressing;
  • Surgery for patients with major curves causing discomfort or other health problems.