Scoliosis

When most people think about scoliosis, they are brought back to the quick exam in middle school where a medical provider looks for early signs of any curvature in the spine. While that is accurate, there is also adult scoliosis that can cause problems later in life. Not considered a debilitating issue, adult scoliosis can still cause painful issues and lead to a decrease in quality of life. For those who suffer with scoliosis, at any age, it’s important to seek medical care so that the condition can be best remedied now as well as avoiding any future complications. The California Pain Consultants team in the Escondido, El Centro, La Mesa, San Diego, and Chula Vista areas is adept at diagnosing and treating scoliosis with a goal to help their family of patients enjoy a comfortable quality of life. 

What is Scoliosis?

There is a natural curve to the spine, which is a forward- and backward-style shape. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine (backbone) that occurs when the spine develops in a side-to-side manner. There can be mild cases and severe cases, with the spine growing in either a C-shaped curve or an S-shaped curve. 

Most cases of scoliosis are mild and don’t require treatment. Treatment is generally geared toward relieving symptoms versus attempting to fix the curve, with a goal to decrease pain and improve function. 

Scoliosis is most often discovered during skeletal growth in childhood or adolescence, but can also be discovered after complete skeletal growth, also known as “adult scoliosis.” Scoliosis is either described as idiopathic (unknown cause), congenital (present from birth) or occurs as a result of another condition. 

Most cases are idiopathic because there is no underlying cause that can be identified. Congenital cases are very rare, and are usually present with other medical conditions at birth. Scoliosis could also occur as a secondary condition when there are neuromuscular diseases present, including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and hereditary musculoskeletal disorders. Other, less common, causes could include physical trauma, spinal stenosis, and bone deterioration from osteoporosis. 

What are Symptoms of Scoliosis?

While the main symptom of scoliosis is a visual curvature of the spine, there are other symptoms that can be both an annoyance and also lead to pain. Due to the fact that the spine is not straight, clothes may fit improperly, and it could cause body changes, including: 

• Height loss
• Uneven alignment of the pelvis and hips
• Imbalance
• Different leg lengths, which can affect walking comfortably
• Uneven musculature on one side of the body
• Prominent rib or shoulder blade on one side of the body

In the event of a severe curvature, patients might experience difficulty breathing, pain, and reduced functionality due to rotation of the rib cage. Medical treatment is absolutely needed in these cases because the symptoms will progress and if left untreated, there is the possibility of infection or damage to internal organs. 

How is Scoliosis Diagnosed?

If you suspect you might be suffering with scoliosis, it’s important to get a professional opinion. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and take X-rays to determine if you have scoliosis, and which type of scoliosis you might have, including lordosis, which is an abnormal curve toward the front of the body, or kyphosis, which is an abnormal curve toward the back of the body. 

The provider will also inquire about your health and medical history, asking:

• When did the discomfort begin?
• Does scoliosis run in your family?
• When did you first notice a change in your spine?
• Do you have any bladder, bowel or motor dysfunction?

They will also see how you move around, noting any odd gait movements, as well as test your nerves through reflex, sensation and muscle-strength tests. 

How Do You Treat Scoliosis?

It’s important to treat scoliosis, regardless how mild the case might be, as symptoms will worsen over time, creating a diminished quality of life. Early treatment can help treat the condition as well as lessen the progression and associated symptoms. 

Treatment options range depending on the age of the patient and the exact curvature of the spine, as well as current symptoms. Most often, a combination of treatments have proven to be most effective at treating scoliosis on a comprehensive level. Treatments could include: 

• Physical therapy: targeted and guided movements help to strengthen the back muscles and abdomen/core muscles, which aid to support the spine
• Spinal brace: most often used for adolescent patients, a brace is helpful for directing the spine’s growth into more of a straighter alignment
• Chiropractic care: getting professional adjustments help to properly align the spine through correcting misalignment in each individual vertebrae
• Occupational therapy: helpful for training muscle memory and helping patients learn how to move properly and with the best form and function as possible
• Surgery: always used as a last resort, surgery can help to provide relief for patients who have a severe curve and/or those who are experiencing damaging bodily impacts from affected bone structures, i.e. difficult breathing

While scoliosis cannot be prevented, patients can take certain steps to minimize their symptoms. These include maintaining an ideal body weight, maintaining a regular exercise program that includes regular low impact aerobic and core strengthening programs, as well as talking with your healthcare provider as soon as any new symptoms appear or if symptoms become worse. It is also important to quit smoking or the use of tobacco products as studies have proven that smoking speeds up the degenerative process. 

If you believe you might be living with scoliosis and would like more information about treatment options, please schedule an appointment today with the California Pain Consultants team in the Escondido, El Centro, La Mesa, San Diego, and Chula Vista areas. Our team can expertly craft a treatment plan that helps to treat any pain associated with the condition, help to lessen the effects of the condition, and increase the patient’s overall quality of life. Regardless of the patient’s age, there are conservative and non-invasive options available that can be incorporated into their daily activities to help them live as comfortably as possible with scoliosis.