We’re going to give you some facts about a condition and we want you to see if you can figure out what condition we’re talking about…
It affects 5 to 7 million people in the United States. It’s responsible for a half million doctors’ visits each year. And although it can begin at any age, it most often develops in adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15.
Scoliosis is not a disease, but rather a term used to describe any abnormal, sideways curvature of the spine. Viewed from the back, a typical spine is straight. When scoliosis occurs, the spine can curve in one of three ways:
- The spine curves to the side as a single curve to the left (shaped like the letter C)
- The spine curves to the side as a single curve to the right (shaped like a backwards letter C)
- The spine has two curves (shaped like the letter S).
Girls are more commonly affected by scoliosis than boys. And because scoliosis can be inherited, children whose parents or siblings are affected by it should definitely be evaluated by a trained professional.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “children who have mild scoliosis are monitored closely, usually with X-rays, to see if the curve is getting worse. In many cases, no treatment is necessary. Some children will need to wear a brace to stop the curve from worsening.”
If you’re concerned about your child potentially having scoliosis, please give our office a call.