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Scoliosis - A Patient Primer.
Edited By: Theodore A. Wagner, M.D.
Last updated Wednesday, February 09, 2005
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Prognosis and impactsPrognosis Scoliosis is not a life-threatening condition. However, as with many
orthopedic conditions, in severe cases it can affect quality of life.
It can cause pain and produce a noticeable deformity of the spine that
can cause problems with self-image and confidence. In extreme cases it
can affect lung function and the function of abdominal organs.Pain Most cases of scoliosis do not cause pain or discomfort. However, in
severe cases, arthritis and intervertebral disc degeneration can
develop, which can be painful. In addition, there are conditions such
as tumors or spinal cord lesions that can cause scoliosis. Scoliosis
associated with these conditions is more likely to cause back pain.Curability There is no cure for scoliosis- surgery for this condition only attempts to correct and/or stabilize the curvature.Fertility and pregnancy Scoliosis itself, whether treated operatively or nonoperatively, should
not affect a patient’s ability to get pregnant, nor should it affect a
patient’s ability to carry a pregnancy to term. There are rare genetic
conditions that can cause problems with fertility that can be
associated with scoliosis. Women often have back pain during their
pregnancy, but there is no evidence that the incidence of back pain is
increased in pregnant women with scoliosis.Independence In severe cases, a patient with scoliosis may lose their independence.
This loss is usually due to a spinal deformity which causes enough
imbalance (leaning towards the left or the right or forward) which
requires the patient to use assistive devices (cane or walker) while
walking and performing activities of daily living. The number of
patients that become this debilitated is small. For patients with
neuromuscular scoliosis (cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal cord
injury), a spinal deformity can result in a loss of the independence
that is already in danger.Mobility The majority of scoliosis does not limit a patient’s ability to move
about and participate in all activities, including sports. In severe
cases, the curves can become quite stiff, and can limit bending from
side to side as well as forward and back. Adolescent patients that are
treated with bracing are usually able to perform all of their daily
activites with the brace on, although removal of the brace for sports
is usually recommended. Patients who have had surgery for scoliosis
will have portions of their spine “fused”. The goal of a fusion is to
eliminate motion between two vertebrae so that the curve does not get
larger. After a fusion, a patient does have limited mobility,
especially when the lumbar spine is fused. The lumbar spine is more
mobile than the thoracic spine, and so lumbar fusion limits mobility
more than thoracic fusion.Relationships The main issue for most patients with scoliosis is one of self-esteem
and self-image. Poor self-image can adversely affect relationships,
social support, and family interactions. Unfortunately, there is no
hard data on whether or not surgical intervention improves self-image
and self-esteem. Although the majority of scoliosis is not terribly
disfiguring, this is the age of “extreme makeovers”, and the primary
reason that patients (both adults and adolescents) seek medical
treatment is their appearance.Surgery for scoliosis at the University of Washington, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Seattle, Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure in Seattle, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 to make an appointment. Our clinical center is located in Seattle Washington, USA
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