Scoliosis Symptoms

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• QWhat are the symptoms of adolescent scoliosis?

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  A Dr. Luke Macyszyn, MD , Neurosurgery, answered on behalf of UCLA Health

  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.
• QWhat are the symptoms of scoliosis?

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  A Susan Retzlaff, NASM Elite Trainer , Fitness, answered

  There may not be any symptoms, but one of the best ways for a parent to detect scoliosis in their adolescent-teenager is have them bend over and see if one side of their body (usually upper back, shoulder blade area) protrudes out more than the opposite side. Early detection is important because you can start with core strengthening exercises to support the spine and prevent the curvature from increasing. Good posture (neutral spine-when the ear shoulder and hip are in alignment) is also important in keeping balance and stability with the curve.

  Of course, you want to consult with a scoliosis specialist if you suspect any curvature.

  Information above is based on my personal experience and my daughters...even though our degree of curvature is in the 20 degree range, it is not visible to the average person and we are both pain free.  I attribute this to the core strengthening exercises and maintaining neutral spine posture that we practice. Click on my profile if you have specific questions for me.

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• QShould I talk to my doctor about my nonstructural scoliosis symptoms?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  If you are exhibiting any of the symptoms of nonstructural scoliosis, such one shoulder or hip resting higher than the other or a sore back during extended periods in the same position, you should speak with your doctor. Because nonstructural scoliosis is caused by seemingly unrelated conditions, it is important to get diagnosed sooner rather than later so that the underlying condition may be treated. Nonstructural scoliosis can be caused by appendicitis, muscle spasms, or other inflammatory conditions.

• QShould I talk to my doctor about my scoliosis symptoms?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  If you are exhibiting any of the symptoms of scoliosis, such as non-aligned hips or shoulders, or a sore back when staying in the same position, you should speak with your doctor. It is important to detect scoliosis early in children, as there are treatments that can slow the progression of the curve. For adults, scoliosis that has gone untreated since childhood can cause spinal arthritis, but a doctor may be able to help.

• QWhat sort of doctor should I see for my scoliosis symptoms?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  If you suspect you have scoliosis symptoms, you should see your family doctor. Your doctor may take a family medical history, examine you, ask you questions about your symptoms, and take x-rays. They may treat you or refer you to a specialist, such as an orthopedic doctor, for further tests and treatment.

• QWhat are the symptoms of structural scoliosis?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Someone with structural scoliosis likely has one shoulder or one hip that rests higher than the other, though this is a symptom that is typically only noticed by a doctor or during a routine exam. One shoulder blade may be more prominent than the other. Someone suffering from structural scoliosis may also feel a low-back pain or back fatigue when sitting or standing for extended periods of time. If the curve of the spine is allowed to get worse, the chest cavity may close in on the lungs, which can lead to breathing problems. In some cases structural scoliosis is caused by an underlying problem like injury or a cyst, which may have other symptoms of its own.

• QWhat are the symptoms of nonstructural scoliosis?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Someone with nonstructural scoliosis likely has one shoulder or one hip that rests higher than the other. This is a symptom that is typically only noticed by a doctor or during a routine exam. Someone suffering from nonstructural scoliosis may also feel a low-back pain or back fatigue when sitting or standing for extended periods of time. Because nonstructural scoliosis is caused by seemingly unrelated conditions, such as appendicitis or muscles spasms, someone with nonstructural scoliosis may experience symptoms related to those conditions.