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 Scoliosis Back Pain Hit Adolescence

(HealthDay News) Its common name is curvature of the spine, and you most often see it in its most dramatic, debilitating form -- the elderly, hunched over, grasping walkers or canes as they struggle to walk just a few yards.

But scoliosis -- its scientific name -- more often strikes young girls and boys just as they hit adolescence.

Late-onset idiopathic scoliosis -- or LIS -- is the most common form of the disease and is generally diagnosed after the age of 10. The condition, which has no known cause other than genetics, affects 3 percent of children between the ages of 8 and 16, and about 60,000 teens in the United States.

It's more common in girls than boys, can appear in children as young as 5, but usually strikes during the adolescent growth spurt.

Scoliosis manifests itself as a side-to-side curvature of the spine. On an X-ray, the spine appears more as an "S" or "C" than a straight line. In some cases, the bones in the spine may also rotate so the person's waist or shoulders appear uneven.

"Before we had school screening, we used to see girls come in with their mothers complaining that they had to hem their skirts differently because of the asymmetry it causes, although there was no actual difference in leg lengths," said Dr. Stuart L. Weinstein, professor of orthopaedic surgery at the University of Iowa.

The trick is to catch the disease when it first appears.

"It's important that primary-care physicians check for this and look for it on each annual exam," said Weinstein. "School check-ups, particularly when one gets to the adolescent growth spurt at 10 to 16 years of age, are also important. Doctors need to look for it, as do families."

The severity of the condition varies widely; some cases merit treatment, such as surgery or bracing, and others do not.

For children and teens with mild scoliosis, doctors frequently recommend a strategy of "watchful waiting" -- regular monitoring to make sure the curve doesn't worsen.

If a severe curve is left untreated, however, it can result in not only cosmetic deformities such as asymmetrical shoulders, hips and ribs, it can also push against body organs and lead to heart and breathing problems.

Contact our lawyer now If you have experienced personal injuries or substantial income loss as a result of a truck accident in . Our lawyers are here to give you a free case review and to fight for you in court.

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