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Scoliosis is a physical disorder which affects nearly twice as many females as males. Approximately 2% of females are affected by the condition which causes an abnormal curvature of the spine. Only about 0.5% of males are affected.
The most common form of the disorder is known as idiopathic scoliosis. The cause of this type is unknown. Around 80% of people who suffer from this condition fall into this bracket and most of these are adolescent females.
If diagnosed when a patient is less than three years old it is referred to as infantile scoliosis. For three to ten year olds it is called juvenile scoliosis and those older than ten years, adolescent scoliosis.
The complaint is most commonly seen in children over the age of ten. Children of people who have scoliosis are more likely to have the condition. However, there is no connection between the degrees of the curve from one generation to the next.
Functional scoliosis occurs in response to a problem elsewhere in the body. Common examples are difference in the length of the legs or muscular spasms occurring in the back. The physical problem causes a curvature in what was a perfectly normal spine.
When vertebrae are not fully formed or do not separate during foetal development, neuromuscular scoliosis occurs. If confirmed at birth the condition is known as congenital scoliosis. Other disorders such as birth defects, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy or Marfan's disease will also be present. Neuromuscular scoliosis is often very severe and needs to be treated more aggressively.
A fourth type which only occurs in older adults is called degenerative scoliosis. Arthritis causes changes in the spine known as spondylosis. Abnormal bone spurs combined with the weakening of normal ligaments and other soft tissues can lead to an abnormal curvature of the spine. The spine can also be affected by osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures, and disc degeneration.
Benign but painful tumours such as osteoid osteomata occur in the spine and are another potential cause of scoliosis. To reduce the pain and the amount of pressure applied to the tumour, persons affected lean to the opposite side which in turn can lead to a deformity or spinal scoliosis.
Any age group can be afflicted with scoliosis, but 80% of all scoliosis is Adolsecent Idiopathic Scoliosis or AIS.
The most common form of the disorder is known as idiopathic scoliosis. The cause of this type is unknown. Around 80% of people who suffer from this condition fall into this bracket and most of these are adolescent females.
If diagnosed when a patient is less than three years old it is referred to as infantile scoliosis. For three to ten year olds it is called juvenile scoliosis and those older than ten years, adolescent scoliosis.
The complaint is most commonly seen in children over the age of ten. Children of people who have scoliosis are more likely to have the condition. However, there is no connection between the degrees of the curve from one generation to the next.
Functional scoliosis occurs in response to a problem elsewhere in the body. Common examples are difference in the length of the legs or muscular spasms occurring in the back. The physical problem causes a curvature in what was a perfectly normal spine.
When vertebrae are not fully formed or do not separate during foetal development, neuromuscular scoliosis occurs. If confirmed at birth the condition is known as congenital scoliosis. Other disorders such as birth defects, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy or Marfan's disease will also be present. Neuromuscular scoliosis is often very severe and needs to be treated more aggressively.
A fourth type which only occurs in older adults is called degenerative scoliosis. Arthritis causes changes in the spine known as spondylosis. Abnormal bone spurs combined with the weakening of normal ligaments and other soft tissues can lead to an abnormal curvature of the spine. The spine can also be affected by osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures, and disc degeneration.
Benign but painful tumours such as osteoid osteomata occur in the spine and are another potential cause of scoliosis. To reduce the pain and the amount of pressure applied to the tumour, persons affected lean to the opposite side which in turn can lead to a deformity or spinal scoliosis.
Any age group can be afflicted with scoliosis, but 80% of all scoliosis is Adolsecent Idiopathic Scoliosis or AIS.
About the Author:
Learn more about scoliosis. Stop by Vicki Tate's site where you can find out all about idiopathic scoliosis and what options are available to you.
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