-Scoliosis is defined as the lateral curvature of the spine. In other words, it is when the spine moves side to side. There can be one curve, two curves, or even three curves. If there is one curve, it is commonly called a "C" curve because of the shape the spine might make. If there are two curves, then it is commonly called an "S" curve, once again, because of the shape of the spine. The scoliosis is normally also classified by where it is located. If it is found in the upper spine (or the thoracic spine), it is a thoracic curve. In the same, if it is found in the lower back (or the lumbar spine), it is called a lumbar curve. For more general information on scoliosis, please see our General Information page.
2. Is this going to kill me?
-Not likely. Scoliosis is not fatal unless it is let progress to very severe cases. This is mainly due to the compresson of organs (i.e. lungs and heart) because of the curvature causing the chest cavity to be compressed. To explain this point, please see Figure 1 below.
The normal spine compared to the spine with scoliosis. Notice how the curve compresses the ribs on the left side. This can lead to problems in the future.
Aquired on 03/12/2003 from http://os.wonkwang.ac.kr/shim/Image/image2/scolio1.jpg.
- The three main types of scoliosis are idiopathic scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, and structural scoliosis. Idiopathic scoliosis is the scoliosis that happends with no real known explaination. There are various findings and research being done to see if they can figure out what really causes it. Congenital scoliosis is scoliosis that is directly (or very directly) inherited. This means that if your mother or aunt or siblings have/had scoliosis, and you have scoliosis, it is a good chance you inherited it. Structural scoliosis is simply put as curvature caused by something else besides genetics. In some cases, it is another disease or disorder (i.e. muscular dystrophy, etc.), and others are caused by other trauma or injury (i.e. previous surgery, back injury, paralysis, etc.).
4. Who usually gets scoliosis?
- Most commonly, scoliosis occurs in adolescent girls around puberty. However, there are always exceptions. Older, younger, and males may have scoliosis.
5. Am I the only one who has scoliosis?
- Not at all! In fact, at my school, I know of about 5 kids in 309 that have scoliosis. Nationwide, the support group knows over 100 teens that have scoliosis.
6. Does it hurt?
-Most teens with scoliosis do not have much pain nor discomfort from it. Some do though. It is more or less how well you can take pain and just how your scoliosis and body work.
7. What do they do to people with scoliosis?
-There are really only three main choices to treat scoliosis. A scoliosis patient may do nothing and see what happneds. If the curve is a little worse, a brace might be a viable option. Finally, the other option is surgery. There are three main types of surgery: posterior fusion, anterior fusion, and throascopic anterior release. For more on braces and the surgery, check out the surgery and brace pages.
Justin M. Oswalt-Web Master
