Scoliosis is a complex, painful condition that results in a person’s spine bending to one side, straightening on the side view and abnormally rotating to the front or the back. A scoliosis clinic consisting of orthopaedic surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers, child life specialists and discharge planners work together to help children, adults and adolescents with the condition. Scoliosis is one of the most common spinal deformities among children in Australia. One in fifteen girls falling between the ages of 9 to 14 years develops a form of scoliosis. It is relatively less common among boys and usually develops before puberty. Parents can reassure that only 1 in 1000 children develops a condition with curves that require treatment.
Commonly scoliosis is found among adolescents whose origin and cause are either unknown or multifactorial. Therefore, to date, medical experts do not exactly know about the causes or the mechanism of the development of scoliosis. It has led to the advent of several myths and misconceptions that people come to believe and suffer the consequences.
Scoliosis Causes Immense Pain
While scoliosis is generally associated with pain, it typically does not cause pain to the patients during the initial stages. It is the reason why early screening and detection of scoliosis are necessary. The early onset of scoliosis might go unnoticed, especially among children. Identifying the symptoms might help them get early treatment to keep the pain and effects under check.
Wait and Observe Before Getting Treatment
In many parts of the world, medical professionals and patients monitor scoliosis to see if the condition worsens before making decisions about surgical fusion or other treatment. However, with the advent of technology and development, a trusted scoliosis clinic in Australia can provide customized, targeted exercise programs focusing on providing solutions before the condition worsens. It is easier to improve a slight and flexible curve with braces and exercises than to treat larger ones.
Scoliosis Does Not Affect Adults
Earlier, people strongly associated scoliosis with growth and assumed that as a child grows into adulthood, the condition does not progress. There is still no definitive way to predict if it will progress into adulthood. However, those who have larger existing curves may likely suffer from it in their later stages. One of the significant reasons for the progression is the weakening the spinal ligaments that lose stability and become deformed. Therefore, over 30% of adults over 60 years with scoliosis, unlike the 3% of children. Appropriate chiropractic care and exercise are essential to make a difference among scoliosis patients of all ages.
Bad Posture Leads to the Development of Scoliosis
One might want to advise their child to sit up straight, believing that slouching might cause scoliosis. However, no definitive studies prove a correlation or causation between the two. Children with scoliosis have straighter spines than the average human or sometimes bend in the opposite direction. Often shoulder blades among children lift from the thorax, giving them a hunching appearance. Similarly, good posture does not correct scoliosis. Patients must undergo specific exercises and treatments suggested by a scoliosis clinic to experience progress.
Women With Scoliosis Cannot Have Children.
According to research studies, women are not at an increased risk of scoliosis progression through pregnancy. However, they might experience additional stress on their body and spine that might cause pain and discomfort during pregnancy. During childbirth, mothers must ensure to inform the anaesthetist about their condition as an epidural injection might affect their spinal position. However, it does not impede the woman’s ability to carry a child.
