Risk Factors in the Progression of Scoliosis

Idiopathic scoliosis, the most common type of the spinal condition, occurs most often through the growth spurt during and before adolescence. In fact, approximately between 12 to 21 percent of idiopathic cases occur in children ages 3 to10 years and less than 1 percent in infants. Mild cases of scoliosis occurs about equally in kids, but curve progression is 10 times more likely to occur in women.

Other elements must be current to generate scoliosis, although being taller at earlier ages than-average might set some girls at risk. A risk-factor that impacts females is delayed onset of menstruation, which may prolong the growth spurt period, thus increasing the chance for the improvement of scoliosis.

Once scoliosis is identified, it is very hard to foresee who are at greatest risk for curve progression. About 2 to 4 percent of all adolescents develop a curvature of 10 degrees or more, but only about 0.3 to 0.5 percent of teens have curves greater than 20 degrees, requiring medical attention.

Risk Factors of Scoliosis and its Progression

People with certain medical problems that impact muscles and the joints are at higher risk for scoliosis. These conditions include muscular dystrophy, rheumatoid arthritis, polio, and cerebral palsy. Children who receive organ transplants (kidney, liver, and heart) are also at elevated risk.

Scoliosis in Young Athletes

Scoliosis might be evident having a prevalence of 2 – 2 4%, in young athletes. The highest rates are are found among dancers, gymnasts, and swimmers. The scoliosis could have been due simply to loosening of the joints, delay in puberty onset (which can lead to weakened bones), and stresses on the developing spine. There have been other reports of a higher-risk for scoliosis in young athletes who engage vigorously. These contain figureskating, dance, tennis, ski-ing, and javelin throwing, among other sports. In most cases, the scoliosis is small, and sports that are everyday do maybe not direct to scoliosis. Exercise has many advantages for people both young and aged and might even help patients with scoliosis.

Prognosis for Scoliosis

Generally, the severity of the scoliosis depends on the degree of the curvature and whether important organs, particularly the lungs and heart are threatened by it.

• Mild Scoliosis (less than 20 degrees): Mild scoliosis isn’t severe and demands no treatment other than monitoring.
• Moderate Scoliosis (between 2-5 and 7-0 degrees): It is still unclear whether un-treated reasonable scoliosis causes substantial wellness issues later on.
• Severe Scoliosis (over 7 degrees): In case the curvature exceeds 70 degrees, the serious twisting of the backbone that occurs in structural scoliosis can trigger the ribs to press against the lungs, restrict breathing, and lessen oxygen levels. The distortions might also trigger hazardous adjustments in the heart.
• Very Extreme Scoliosis (Over 100 degrees): Eventually, if the curve reaches more than 100 100 levels, equally the lungs and heart can be injured. Patients with this specific degree of severity are susceptible to pneumonia and lung infections. Curves mortality charges are increased by greater than 100 degrees, but this problem is very uncommon in America.

Some experts argue that by merely measuring the degree of the curve, patients may not be identified in the serious and average teams who are a-T greatest risk for lung problems. Other factors (spinal flexibility, the extent of asymmetry involving the ribs as well as the vertebrae) might be mo Re essential in predicting severity in this group.

Scoliosis Curvature of the Spine

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 . 
By Dr. Alex Jimenez

Additional Topics: Scoliosis Pain and Chiropractic

According to recent research studies, chiropractic care and exercise can substantially help correct scoliosis. Scoliosis is a well-known type of spinal misalignment, or subluxation, characterized by the abnormal, lateral curvature of the spine. While there are two different types of scoliosis, chiropractic treatment techniques, including spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, are safe and effective alternative treatment measures which have been demonstrated to help correct the curve of the spine, restoring the original function of the spine.

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