For most, scoliosis probably recalls annual trips to the nurse's office
during junior high school to have your spine checked out. This
experience has given most of us a basic knowledge of the disease:
scoliosis means your spine curves in a way that is not normal, a severe
S- or C-shaped curve.
If all was well with our spines, most of us probably haven't thought of
scoliosis since those school exams. However, it is possible to be
diagnosed with scoliosis as an adult.
Many cases of adult scoliosis actually start during childhood but go
undetected and, therefore, untreated. A moderate curve in the spine
then has the potential of developing into a more serious curve as the
person grows to adulthood.
Other causes of adult scoliosis include conditions that deteriorate the
spine, such as osteoporosis or arthritis in older adults. Scoliosis in
adults can also be caused by trauma to the spine, like a serious spinal
fracture caused by an accident.
There may be little or no pain associated with adult scoliosis.
Symptoms include unevenness in the shoulders, waist and hips, along
with a tendency to lean to one side. An adult with scoliosis may also
notice one arm hanging longer than the other, or the appearance of the
ribs sticking out prominently on one side when bending over. These
symptoms usually bring an individual to a spine specialist for
diagnosis and treatment.
For most adults, treatment may include medication, a series of
exercises, physical therapy, and a possible back or neck brace. This
conservative plan usually brings relief for most people with scoliosis.
In severe cases where the spinal curvature is large or progressing,
persistent pain is experienced or conservative treatments have failed,
spinal surgery may be considered.
Each case of scoliosis is unique and your spine specialist will work
with you to determine the best course of treatment for your specific
condition and lifestyle.
Orthopedics is the area of medicine specializing in the diagnosis and
treatment of bone, joint, tissue and nerve disorders, including those
in the neck, back and spine. To contact a spine specialist at Valley
Orthopedic Associates, call 425-656-5060.
To learn more about scoliosis in adults, click here.
To read about scoliosis in children and teens, click here.
Additional Resources:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
National Scoliosis Foundation
Spine-Health |
