What is scoliosis?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:Scoliosis means a curve to the spine, making it look like an S. Doctors don't define it as scoliosis unless the curve measures 10 degrees on X-ray, so really minor, subtle curves don’t cause problems. Scoliosis can start when you’re just a kid, but usually it develops in adolescence, affecting 3 percent to 5 percent of all teenage girls, but only 15 percent of those cases are serious enough to require any treatment. Guys, you have it easy: Scoliosis affects only one boy to every seven or eight girls. If it starts before you hit a growth spurt, it can progress faster and be more of a problem if you don’t receive the right interventions
Find out more about this book: YOU: The Owner's Manual for Teens: A Guide to a Healthy Body and Happy Life
Scoliosis means a curve to the spine, making it look like an S. Doctors don't define it as scoliosis unless the curve measures 10 degrees on X-ray, so really minor, subtle curves don’t cause problems. Scoliosis can start when... More -
Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine develops a curved appearance, somewhat like the letters S or C, rather than being straight. Scoliosis primarily affects children during their early adolescence before the onset of puberty. Spinal curvature typically occurs in healthy children, but the condition can be the result of birth defects or muscular and skeletal diseases.
Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine develops a curved appearance, somewhat like the letters S or C, rather than being straight. Scoliosis primarily affects children during their early adolescence before the onset of puberty. Spinal curvature... More -
National Athletic Trainers’ Association answered:Scoliosis is characterized by a sideways or lateral curvature of the spine. People with scoliosis show an abnormal curve in one direction and a compensatory curve in the opposite direction.
Scoliosis can be functional or structural. Functional scoliosis can be caused by unequal leg length, muscle imbalance, or nutritional deficiency. Structural scoliosis is caused by some defect in the bony structure of the spine.
(This answer provided for NATA by the Gustavus Adolphus College Athletic Training Education Program.)Scoliosis is characterized by a sideways or lateral curvature of the spine. People with scoliosis show an abnormal curve in one direction and a compensatory curve in the opposite direction. Scoliosis can be functional or structural.... More -
Dr. Anthony Komaroff answered:Scoliosis refers to an abnormal curve in the spine.
When viewed from the back, the normal spine is perfectly straight. But, when viewed from the side, there are normally two curves — one in the neck (the cervical spine) and one in the lower back (the lumbar spine).
Excessive curvature from front to back or any curve from side to side is called scoliosis.
There are several different types of scoliosis:
- Levoscoliosis — a side-to-side curvature to the right
- Dextroscoliosis — a side-to-side curvature to the left
- Kyphoscoliosis — a front to back curvature (with or without side-to-side curvature)
- Rotational scoliosis — the spine is twisted
- Neuromuscular — the cause is a neuromuscular disease, such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy
- Osteoporotic — the cause is osteoporosis (and usually causes kyphoscoliosis)
- Congenital — the curvature occurs in the womb due to abnormal spine development
- Idiopathic — the cause is unknown
Find out more about this book: Harvard Medical School Arthritis: Keeping your joints healthy
Scoliosis refers to an abnormal curve in the spine.When viewed from the back, the normal spine is perfectly straight. But, when viewed from the side, there are normally two curves — one in the neck (the cervical spine) and one in the lower... More -
Healthwise answered:Scoliosis is a problem with the curve in your spine. In scoliosis, your spine makes a large curve from side to side in the shape of the letter "S" or the letter "C." If this curve is severe, it can cause pain and make it hard to breathe.
Most cases of scoliosis are mild and don't need treatment. If your scoliosis is severe, you may need a brace or surgery.
Scoliosis is a problem with the curve in your spine. In scoliosis, your spine makes a large curve from side to side in the shape of the letter "S" or the letter "C." If this curve is severe, it can cause pain and make it hard to breathe. Most cases... More
