Scoliosis causes the spine to appear as a wavy curve, somewhat like the letters S or C. In mild cases, the worst effect of scoliosis may be a sore back and stiffness from prolonged sitting or standing. In more severe cases of scoliosis, the curve of the spine may become so extreme that it limits the space in the chest cavity, causing breathing problems. If scoliosis is not treated, arthritis and chronic back pain may be present in adulthood.
Scoliosis Symptoms
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The symptoms of adolescent scoliosis include the following:- Back pain: About 40 percent to 60 percent of adolescents with scoliosis complain of back pain. Frequently they are first evaluated by their school nurse or their pediatrician. The school nurse might notice a slight curvature of the spine or unevenness in the trunk when the child bends forward.
- Pulmonary compromise: When the curve of the spine is significant, usually over 80 degrees, a child/adolescent may develop pulmonary compromise. This means that the lung on the side that the spine is bent towards does not function as well as the lung on the other side. This can have various implications, from frequent lung infections to poor exercise tolerance.
- Shoulder/trunk asymmetry: Frequently in adolescents with scoliosis the child will have one shoulder that is higher than the other. The trunk will also be shifted in the direction of the curve. Adolescents may also exhibit pelvic obliquity, meaning that one side of the pelvis is higher than the other.