Scoliosis - A Patient Primer.
Edited By: Theodore A. Wagner, M.D.
Last updated Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Incidence and risk factorsWho gets scoliosis and why? The majority of scoliosis is termed idiopathic, which means that the
medical community does not know what causes it. The majority of
scoliosis in adolescents is idiopathic. There are congenital causes of
scoliosis which often cause patients to have large curves at a very
young age due to malformed vertebrae. These scolioses can be associated
with spinal cord abnormalities as well as heart and kidney problems.
Neuromuscular scoliosis occurs in patients who have abnormal nerve
and/or spinal cord function such as in cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or
spinal cord injury. Adult scoliosis can be from an adolescent
scoliosis, or it can be what is termed a degenerative scoliosis. This
condition is caused by an asymmetric wearing of the intervertebral
discs and the joints between the vertebrae.How is scoliosis acquired (contagion, genetics, injury, lifestyle, etc)? The majority of scoliosis is called idiopathic, which means that the
medical community does not know what causes it. There have been recent
studies that suggest that there is a genetic component to adolescent
idiopathic scoliosis. Neuromuscular scoliosis occurs as a result of
abnormalities in nerve function which control the trunk musculature,
such as spina bifida and cerebral palsy. Patients with spinal cord
injury can also develop scoliosis because of abnormal nerve function.
New onset adult scoliosis is usually caused by degeneration of the
discs and joints in between the vertebral bodies, and can be
exacerbated by osteoporosis. Sometimes, a scoliosis can develop after a
spine fracture or infection due to asymmetry caused by the injury or
the treatment of the injury. Scoliosis also can develop after spinal
surgery, which is called post-laminectomy scoliosis.What is the role of genetics in acquiring or developing scoliosis? There is current ongoing research that is attempting to localize a
“scoliosis gene”. Although there have been some associations made, at
this time there is no definite gene that is associated with any type of
scoliosis.Is scoliosis contagious? Scoliosis is not contagious.Is probability for acquiring scoliosis affected by diet, metabolism, lifestyle, etc? Scoliosis itself (idiopathic, congenital, post-traumatic, degenerative)
is not affected by diet, metabolism, or lifestyle. There have been some
studies suggesting that physical therapy can change the natural history
of scoliosis in adolescents, but this is not the widely accepted view
of the medical community. There is some evidence that osteoporosis can
cause progression of a scoliosis in the older adult. A patient’s
symptoms can be affected by diet, metabolism and lifestyle. Patients
that are active, maintain a normal body weight, and ingest the normal
daily requirements of all nutrients, including calcium, may experience
less discomfort and pain.Is scoliosis likely to result from injury or trauma? Scoliosis can arise after a spinal fracture or a spinal infection, due
to asymmetric collapse of a portion of the spine, asymmetric healing,
and asymmetric injury.Can scoliosis be prevented? There is currently no way to prevent idiopathic scoliosis. The risk of
congential scoliosis can theoretically be minimized with proper
prenatal care, as can the risk of neuromuscular scoliosis. The risk of
degenerative scoliosis can be minimized by minimizing the risk of
osteoporosis (increasing calcium intake, avoiding (or quitting)
smoking, avoiding heavy alcohol use, exercising, taking estrogen,
avoiding falls and injuries).Surgery for scoliosis at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, 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 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.
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