Scoliosis: What Are the Complications and Risk Factors?

Scoliosis is an unnatural sideways curvature of the spine. This condition is commonly seen in adolescents but can also occur in children and persists as the child grows older, making the condition worse. In such cases, it is important to see a scoliosis specialist as scoliosis can cause disability. There is more to know about scoliosis, so keep reading! 

Causes of Scoliosis 

There is no fixed reason for scoliosis to occur. Doctors are still investigating how this condition originates. Some factors that might automatically give rise to the illness should be considered. A couple of conditions involving the nervous and musculoskeletal system, like cerebral palsy or dystrophy of the muscles, are two of the most common reasons behind the onset of scoliosis. A scoliosis specialist might also tell you that it is caused by an injury or an infection to the spine. Other causes include abnormalities in the spine and congenital conditions that involve the growth of bones in the body. 

The Risk Factors Involved

The risk factors in most scoliosis cases typically relate to age, sex, and family history. Age is an essential factor as most scoliosis cases are seen in adolescents. 

When it comes to sex, it is agreed that mild scoliosis can occur in male and female children at around the same time; but there is a higher risk for girls to develop scoliosis further and worsen their condition at a faster rate than boys. Scoliosis can also be hereditary. This does not mean that every child with scoliosis has a family history. 

Some Complications That Arise Due to Scoliosis

Many patients with scoliosis develop the general symptoms of the illness, but a few might suffer through an extra set of complications. These complications typically include difficulty breathing, lopsided appearance, and back problems. 

Difficulty breathing is caused when the ribs start to expand and touch the lungs. This leaves the lungs with little to no space, causing breathing issues. 

With time, scoliosis may worsen, causing some noticeable differences. For example, there will be a noticeable unevenness in the hips and the shoulders. This imbalance may also occur in the ribs, with an apparent sideways bias of the waist and torso. Such changes in appearance may offset self-esteem issues.

Children who never had their scoliosis treated grow into adults and experience chronic back pain. This is especially true for those adults who have a conspicuous curve. 

Symptoms of the Condition

You can look for several things when trying to detect early scoliosis. For example, keep an eye out for misaligned shoulders, one of the shoulder blades appearing a little more prominent than the opposite one, crooked hips, jutting ribs, and a protuberance on the back when the patient bends forward. When considering most scoliosis cases, the spine has been noticed moving or twisting along with the curvature. This commonly causes the ribs and muscles on either the left of the body to stick out more than those on the right or vice versa. 

When Should You See a Scoliosis Specialist? 

If you are a parent and notice common symptoms of scoliosis, take your child for a checkup. Mild scoliosis can go unnoticed, especially in a child, as it grows gradually and causes little to no pain. People who recognise child scoliosis at the earliest are sports teachers and friends. Keep your ear open to them when they talk to you about your child. Go to a good clinic with a seasoned doctor who will recommend the right treatment plan.