How to recognize scoliosis in children and what to do next

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Contrary to popular belief, this violation is not related to a heavy briefcase or improper seating at the table.

Scoliosis, or lateral curvature of the spine, is one of the most common disorders of the musculoskeletal system in children. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in adolescents, during the period of rapid growth and puberty. But the problem may arise earlier.

What is scoliosis in children?

Scoliosis is classified according to several criteria.

By origin

Depending on the origin, scoliosis is divided into three types.

Congenital scoliosis Congenital Scoliosis occurs in 1 in 10,000 infants due to abnormal formation of the ribs and vertebrae during fetal development. It is not always possible to identify a defect immediately after birth. Sometimes he goes unnoticed until adolescence.

Neuromuscular scoliosis appears against the background of disorders of the muscular and nervous systems. It is most commonly associated with Scoliosis with cerebral palsy, spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and spina bifida.

Idiopathic scoliosis means that doctors cannot name the exact cause of the curvature. This is the most common type of scoliosis. It occurs Idiopathic Scoliosis in children of different ages, therefore it is called:

• infants - in babies up to 3 years old;
• juvenile - in children 3–9 years old;
• adolescents - in adolescents 10–18 years old, up to 80% of all cases of idiopathic scoliosis in childhood fall into this category.

By the type of curvature

To explain what a curvature looks like, many doctors divide Scoliosis scoliosis treatment into:

• C-shaped - with one arc of curvature;
• S-shaped - with two arcs of curvature;
• Z-shaped - with three arcs of curvature.

However, this terminology is not official, they use it for convenience and a visual description of the problem.

At the place of curvature

Scoliosis can appear in any part of the spine. The most common Scoliosis Classifications are:

• scoliosis of the cervical spine;
• scoliosis of the thoracic region;
• scoliosis of the lumbar spine.

There are also combined types - cervicothoracic or upper thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral.

How to prevent scoliosis in children

Since in most cases the causes of scoliosis are unknown, there are no proven ways to anticipate and prevent it either. There is no scientific evidence for Scoliosis that exercise or the habit of sitting straight at a desk will help prevent curvature of the spine.

Paul Sponseller, orthopedic pediatrician, in commentary for the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Parents often ask if a heavy briefcase or improper fit can trigger scoliosis. Neither one nor the other is beneficial for the back, but neither is the cause of this disorder.

So, it is impossible to insure against scoliosis. Therefore, it is especially important to catch it early, when the curvature can be corrected without much effort.

Who is prone to scoliosis

Parents should be especially careful about posture disorders in a child in the following cases.

• Someone in the family had scoliosis. If the disorder was in parents, siblings, or other close relatives, it increases Is scoliosis hereditary, genetic, or both? the likelihood of the appearance and rapid progress of pathology in a child.
• Your child is between 10 and 15 years old. The risk of scoliosis is especially high WHAT IS SCOLIOSIS? during a period of rapid growth.
• Your child is a girl. According to Why Is Scoliosis More Common In Girls Than Boys? American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, over the age of 10 years, scoliosis is 10 times more common in girls than in boys. At the same time, the risk of developing a severe form in girls is 8 times higher than that of their peers.

How to recognize scoliosis in children

A child can only be diagnosed with scoliosis by a pediatric orthopedic doctor. But the reason for contacting a specialist may be the following signs of Scoliosis:

• asymmetry of the shoulders - one shoulder is located above the other;
• asymmetry of the blades - one blade protrudes more, and when tilted forward until it stops, it turns out to be noticeably higher than the other;
• asymmetry of the waist - the curves on the left and right are not the same;
• asymmetry of the hip joints - they are located at different levels.

To confirm the diagnosis, clarify the nature of scoliosis and its severity, you need to take an x-ray. On its basis, the doctor will be able to prescribe the correct treatment.

How to treat scoliosis in children

The main thing is no amateur performances! Massages and strengthening exercises, which you learned about from Internet forums, can only do harm. If scoliosis is already detected, strictly follow the recommendations of the orthopedist.

Treatment will depend on the degree of the curvature. But most often it comes down to medical examinations and strengthening exercises. Approximately 30% of young patients may need a corset, and only 10% of cases involve surgery.

Minimal curvature: prophylactic examinations

Curvature up to 10 degrees in the Russian X-ray classification The classification of scoliosis is referred to as the first degree scoliosis. Foreign experts generally consider Cobb Angle Measurement and Treatment Guidelines to be such a skew as a slight asymmetry that does not require treatment. In most cases, you will be asked to regularly see an orthopedist to monitor the dynamics. Additionally, the doctor may prescribe special exercises or a massage course.

Slight curvature: exercise therapy and massages

Curvature of 11-25 degrees is the second or, in Western practice, mild scoliosis. At this stage, it is important to strengthen your back muscles and create a muscular corset without aggravating the situation. As a rule, doctors recommend the Scoliosis Exercises You Can Do at Home complex of physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy), swimming, as well as massage and other physiotherapy procedures.

Average curvature: corset

Curvature of 25-40 degrees is classified as third degree or moderate scoliosis. In addition to obvious postural disorders, the child may develop Symptoms of Scoliosis: Mild, Moderate, & Severe back and chest pain, headaches, and fatigue.

To slow down or stop the curvature process, you will need an orthopedic corset. Wearing it, as a rule, is necessary from 18 to 23 hours a day. Treatment is not stopped while the child is actively growing. Usually, you can say goodbye to a corset a year after the skeleton is fully formed. According to statistics, this method is effective in 80% of cases.

Severe curvature: surgery

Curvature of more than 40 degrees, or the fourth - severe - the degree of scoliosis, requires surgical intervention. If the doctor notices that the corset is not working, the next step is surgery to straighten the spine and fix it in the correct position.

The process of complete recovery after surgery takes from 6 to 12 months. Scoliosis Surgery Recovery: What to Expect, but it usually turns out to return to the desk earlier - in some cases already after 4–6 weeks. Advice for before and after surgery.

But even a year after surgery, it is best to avoid shock loads on the spine, for example when jumping or riding a horse, as well as strong twisting and contact sports. If you really want to do martial arts, squash or equestrian sports, be sure to consult your doctor.