Every year doctors and nurse practitioners diagnose around three million kids with scoliosis. Although neither you nor your child can prevent this condition, early detection and treatment help reduce long-term problems. 

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. It’s most commonly found in adolescents, but younger children can have this condition as well. Diagnoses range from mild to severe. People with mild symptoms may not need treatment such as a back brace but should visit their healthcare provider regularly for checkups. 

Scoliosis falls into three types–idiopathic, congenital, and neuromuscular. Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type found in children. The cause of idiopathic scoliosis is unknown but usually has a hereditary basis. Congenital scoliosis is a rare spine abnormality found at birth. Neuromuscular scoliosis is caused by in the muscles and nerves that surround the spine, and it is typically found in patients with neuromuscular diseases such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. 

Symptoms of Scoliosis

In most cases, scoliosis doesn’t cause pain and symptoms may go unnoticed for a long time. Knowing what to look for can help parents detect signs of concern and schedule a screening appointment with their child’s provider. Symptoms of include:

• Uneven shoulders
• Uneven leg length
• Leaning to one side
• Elevated hips
• Prominent shoulder blades
• Uneven waist

Treatment 

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition. In most cases, the condition is mild, and children only need to follow up regularly with their provider. More serious cases may require your child to wear a brace to stop the curve from progressing. Severe scoliosis, in which the spine is curved at a 45-degree angle or more, may require surgery for treatment. Severe cases are much less common but surgery has proven to be an effective treatment. 

Early detection and treatment help slow the progression of this condition. Your child’s annual health checkup is the key to early detection. Each year, your child’s primary care provider screens for signs of spine curvature during the checkup, and they can begin treatment immediately if the condition is found.

Summertime and school breaks are a great time to take your child to their annual checkup! EliteCare makes checkups simple and convenient for families. We provide walk-in primary care visits seven days a week. Drop by anytime during our office hours!