Understanding Scoliosis Degrees
You are someone you know may have been diagnosed with scoliosis. Upon first hearing the word you may be worried about your health, but scoliosis is quite common and can range from extremely mild to severe. Most cases of scoliosis are mild and do not require any form of treatment or modification of lifestyle at all.What is scoliosis and what determines whether it is mild or severe? Scoliosis is characterized by a curvature of the spine. It is an orthopedic condition. This curvature is a side to side curvature that is usually found in the middle and lower back. This spinal curve can be of varying degrees, determining the severity. If a spinal curve is less than 10 degrees, it is not even classified as scoliosis. Curvatures of 10-20 degrees are considered very mild scoliosis, not usually needing treatment, but usually observed for any sudden changes or issues. Curvatures of 25-45 degrees may need bracing to align the spine, while curvatures of 45 degrees and up can sometimes require surgery.
While the degree of curvature is a strong consideration, other things are important as well, such as the age and growth development of the person experiencing scoliosis. If skeletal maturity has not been reached or internal organs are being affected, a lower degree curvature of the spine may be considered more severe. Scoliosis is most common in females between the ages of 10 and 15 years old, though both males and females can have the condition and can develop it at any age.
Fortunately, most people with the condition lead normal lives and won’t even need to limit their physical activity. Those with more severe cases of the condition may experience back pain that limits their physical activity and will need to keep a watch on internal organs. The condition is not usually progressive, although some children do progress very rapidly while still growing. The progression usually depends upon the age of the person affected.
If you suspect that you or a family member has scoliosis ask your doctor about spinal screening and postural analysis. If it is a potential for you, your doctor may follow up with an X-ray to determine the degree of curvature.
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While the degree of curvature is a strong consideration, other things are important as well, such as the age and growth development of the person experiencing scoliosis. If skeletal maturity has not been reached or internal organs are being affected, a lower degree curvature of the spine may be considered more severe. Scoliosis is most common in females between the ages of 10 and 15 years old, though both males and females can have the condition and can develop it at any age.
Fortunately, most people with the condition lead normal lives and won’t even need to limit their physical activity. Those with more severe cases of the condition may experience back pain that limits their physical activity and will need to keep a watch on internal organs. The condition is not usually progressive, although some children do progress very rapidly while still growing. The progression usually depends upon the age of the person affected.
If you suspect that you or a family member has scoliosis ask your doctor about spinal screening and postural analysis. If it is a potential for you, your doctor may follow up with an X-ray to determine the degree of curvature.
Return to:
Additional Posts
New, Minimally Invasive Back Surgery
Cervical Disc Replacement Superior to Spinal Fusion
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Disability and spinal stenosis
Social security definition of disability - When is a person considered disabled?
Social security disability definition - to get social security disability do you have to be permanently disabled?
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Labels: curvature of the spine, scoliosis
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